kau4 cing4求情
Jyutpingkau4 cing4
Yalekàuh chìhng
Definition
To plead for mercy; to beg for leniency before being punished.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
This term implies a formal or serious request for leniency, often used in contexts involving authority figures, teachers, or legal situations. It carries a sense of desperation or social obligation where someone intervenes on behalf of a wrongdoer. Unlike simply asking for help, it specifically targets the mitigation of a penalty or consequence.
Examples
He made a mistake and still wants to find someone to plead for him.
It is useless for you to plead for him; he must be punished.
Related words
Common phrases
to plead on someone's behalf
to plead for mercy before a judge
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with 請求, which is a general request or petition. Use 求情 only when there is a specific negative consequence or punishment involved that one is trying to avoid or reduce.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
