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", meaning to beg or to request, presents a clear case of semantic and graphic derivation from an earlier form. It originated as a variant or abbreviated form of the character "气", which originally represented steam or vapor, and by extension, breath. This connection is evident in its traditional structure, which is essentially "气" minus its topmost horizontal stroke. The conceptual link likely stems from the notion of a plea being an uttered request, something expelled with breath. Over time, this abbreviated form became standardized with its own distinct meaning, specializing in the act of asking or beseeching, while its parent character "气" retained and expanded upon meanings related to air, energy, and vitality. This process illustrates how a graphical simplification, initially perhaps a form of cursive shorthand, led to the establishment of a separate character with a semantically related but more abstract and socially defined function.
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。