Meaning of 求
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to seek
- to look for
- to request
- to demand
- to beseech
How to use 求
On its own, 求 often means to beg or plead with someone for help, and it carries a humble, earnest tone. It also appears in many compound words about seeking, like 追求 (zhuīqiú) and 要求 (yāoqiú). Example: 我求你帮帮我。(Wǒ qiú nǐ bāngbang wǒ.) I'm begging you to help me.
Picture 求 (qiú) as a person with arms stretched out and drops falling on both sides, reaching and begging for something they want. Think of it as hands open, asking.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 求 with 球 (qiú, ball), which has the same sound but adds 王 on the left. Another trap is using 求 for a casual request. Use 请 (qǐng) or 问 (wèn) for everyday asking, because 求 can sound like desperate pleading.
求 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
求 qiú · to seek · 7 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 求.
| 要求 | yāoqiú | to request; to require |
| 请求 | qǐngqiú | to request; to ask; request (CL:個|个[ge4]) |
| 需求 | xūqiú | requirement; to require |
| 追求 | zhuīqiú | to pursue (a goal etc) stubbornly; to seek after |
| 征求 | zhēngqiú | to solicit; to seek |
| 寻求 | xúnqiú | to seek; to look for |
| 求职 | qiúzhí | to seek employment |
| 求婚 | qiúhūn | to propose marriage |
| 求救 | qiújiù | to seek help (when in distress or having difficulties) |
| 恳求 | kěnqiú | to beg; to beseech |
| 求助 | qiúzhù | to request help; to appeal (for help) |
| 乞求 | qǐqiú | to beg |
Questions about 求
What does 求 mean?
求 (qiú) means "to seek; to look for" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 求?
求 is made of 1 character: 求 (7 strokes). That is 7 strokes in total.
Is 求 an HSK word?
Yes. 求 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 要求 and 请求?
要求 (yāoqiú) is a firm request or requirement, often from someone with authority, like a teacher or a company. 请求 (qǐngqiú) is a polite request, usually made to someone you need help or permission from.
How is 求 used in common set phrases?
You will often hear 求求你 (qiúqiu nǐ), meaning please, I beg you, in emotional speech. Other common phrases are 求职 (qiúzhí, to look for a job) and 求助 (qiúzhù, to ask for help).