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March 24, 2026
请(請)qǐng(qing3)
请 (qǐng) is a versatile verb that means 'to ask,' 'to invite,' or 'please (do something).' It is commonly used in polite requests or invitations, making it an essential word for daily interactions in Mandarin. The nuance often conveys respect and courtesy, especially when asking someone to do something or inviting them to an event.
Strokes10Radical讠Frequency#142DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, politeness is highly valued, and using 请 when making requests is a way to show respect. It is often used in formal settings, such as business meetings or when interacting with elders, reflecting the cultural emphasis on hierarchy and courtesy.
Memory Tip
Imagine a polite person holding a sign that says 'Please!' in big, friendly letters. The character 请 resembles a person inviting others to join them, with the top part suggesting a welcoming gesture. Remember 'qǐng' sounds like 'ching,' which can remind you of a bell ringing to call someone over politely.
Meanings of 请
qǐng(qing3)
1to ask
2to invite
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 请
请Simplified
請Traditional
10Strokes
讠Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#142Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 请
Podcast: 请
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AI Study Notes for 请
Quick Contrast
邀请 (yāoqǐng) vs 请 (qǐng): use 请 for polite requests or invitations, while 邀请 specifically denotes the act of inviting someone to an event.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a polite person holding a sign that says 'Please!' in big, friendly letters. The character 请 resembles a person inviting others to join them, with the top part suggesting a welcoming gesture. Remember 'qǐng' sounds like 'ching,' which can remind you of a bell ringing to call someone over politely.
Usage Notes
When using 请, it's important to follow it with a verb to complete your request, e.g., 请你来 (qǐng nǐ lái - please come). Learners often mistakenly use 请 in overly casual situations, but it is generally more formal and polite. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words that may not carry the same meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 请 connects well with other introductory vocabulary that involves polite requests and social interactions. Students should focus on pairing 请 with verbs and practicing simple sentences to gain confidence in using it naturally in conversation.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, politeness is highly valued, and using 请 when making requests is a way to show respect. It is often used in formal settings, such as business meetings or when interacting with elders, reflecting the cultural emphasis on hierarchy and courtesy.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to include a verb after 请, leading to incomplete requests like 请我 (qǐng wǒ - please me). It should be 请你帮我 (qǐng nǐ bāng wǒ - please help me) instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 请
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Grammar Patterns of 请
请 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The district council agreed with the objectors and turned down the application.
10
他们请求香港允许他们在那里入港停留。
tā mén qǐng qiú xiāng gǎng yǔn xǔ tā mén zài nà lǐ rù gǎng tíng liú。
They had asked Hong Kong for permission to put into port there.
Cultural Notes for 请
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, politeness is highly valued, and using 请 when making requests is a way to show respect. It is often used in formal settings, such as business meetings or when interacting with elders, reflecting the cultural emphasis on hierarchy and courtesy.
Word Family of 请
Words Containing This Character20
请qǐngto ask請
申请shēnqǐngto apply for sth申請
邀请yāoqǐngto invite邀請
请求qǐngqiúto request請求
请问qǐngwènExcuse me, may I ask...?請問
聘请pìnqǐngto engage聘請
敬请jìngqǐngplease (do sth) (deferential form)敬請
请客qǐngkèto give a dinner party請客
请假qǐngjiàto request leave of absence請假
请教qǐngjiàoto consult請教
有请to ask sb in有請
提请to propose提請
申请人applicant申請人
请便Please do as you wish!請便
请示qǐngshìto ask for instructions請示
邀请赛invitation tournament (e.g. between schools or firms)邀請賽
申请表application form申請表
邀请函invitation letter邀請函
申请书application申請書
宴请to invite to dinner宴請
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 请 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 请
You can use 请 by placing it before a verb, like 请帮我 (qǐng bāng wǒ - please help me).
No, while 请 is more polite, you can use it in informal contexts as well to show respect.
Yes, you can say 请你吃饭 (qǐng nǐ chīfàn - please have a meal) to invite someone.
