乞

qǐ

乙 + 𠂉

Definitions

qǐ to beg

Etymology

Originally a variant of 气, which depicts a gust of air. The current meaning is a phonetic loan.

About

乞 began as a variant of 气, which depicts a gust of air or curling vapor. Over time, it became a distinct character, and its modern meaning 'to beg' is a phonetic loan, unrelated to the original image. The character consists of a few simple strokes, structurally akin to 气 but missing its internal elements. It now serves as the core component in numerous common words for begging, supplication, and requests.

Etymology Hide

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

那个乞丐很可怜。

Nàge qǐgài hěn kělián.

That beggar is very pitiful.

他在街上乞讨。

Tā zài jiē shàng qǐtǎo.

He is begging on the street.

她乞求他的原谅。

Tā qǐqiú tā de yuánliàng.

She begged for his forgiveness.

老人被迫乞食为生。

Lǎorén bèi pò qǐshí wéi shēng.

The old man was forced to beg for food to make a living.

他们向过往行人乞讨一些零钱。

Tāmen xiàng guòwǎng xíngrén qǐtǎo yīxiē língqián.

They beg for some spare change from passersby.

在贫困地区，许多人以乞讨为生。

Zài pínkùn dìqū, xǔduō rén yǐ qǐtǎo wéi shēng.

In poor areas, many people make a living by begging.

他多次乞求老板原谅他的错误。

Tā duōcì qǐqiú lǎobǎn yuánliàng tā de cuòwù.

He repeatedly begged the boss to forgive his mistake.

尽管生活困难，他也没有去乞讨。

Jǐnguǎn shēnghuó kùnnán, tā yě méiyǒu qù qǐtǎo.

Although life is difficult, he did not go begging.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 乙

Component: 𠂉

乞