Definitions
to beg
Etymology
Originally a variant of 气, which depicts a gust of air. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.
About
The character 乞 shares its etymological origin with 气 (air or breath), originally depicting vapors rising skyward. As writing evolved, their forms diverged, and 乞 came to mean "to beg" or "to request". Its structure resembles 气 but is simpler, lacking internal elements. The character exclusively conveys acts of asking or supplication, forming the basis of words related to begging and earnest requests.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
那个乞丐很可怜。
他在街上乞讨。
她乞求他的原谅。
老人被迫乞食为生。
他们向过往行人乞讨一些零钱。
在贫困地区，许多人以乞讨为生。
他多次乞求老板原谅他的错误。
尽管生活困难，他也没有去乞讨。