哀求

āi qiú

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Uncommon

Definitions

2 items

to request; to ask

请求 is a general term for request, while 哀求 implies desperate begging

to beg

乞求 emphasizes begging as if for alms, often with a sense of desperation

1 item

to beg

both mean to plead earnestly; 恳求 is more formal and humble

Do not use 哀求 for simple 'asking'; it implies pleading under distress. Use 请求 for neutral requests.

哀求 carries a strong emotional tone of desperation and is not used for polite or formal requests; 恳求 is preferred in formal contexts.

1 shown

他哀求医生救救他的孩子。

He pleaded with the doctor to save his child.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

to entreat piteously

to seek

Ai (c. 2000 BC), sixth of legendary Flame Emperors 炎帝[yán dì] descended from Shennong 神農|神农[shén nóng] Farmer God, also known as Li 釐|厘[lí]