ngai1 kau4𠼮求
Jyutpingngai1 kau4
Yalengāi kàuh
Definition
To entreat, beg, or plead.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of desperation or humiliation that goes beyond simple asking. It is often used in dramatic contexts where someone is pleading for mercy or a favor they are not entitled to. The term implies a loss of dignity, as the person is lowering themselves to get what they want.
Examples
He is kneeling there begging me to forgive him.
Why do you need to beg him for help?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 請求, which is a neutral, formal way to make a request. Using 𠼮求 in a professional or casual setting can sound overly dramatic or even mocking.
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.
