Translation guide
The act of asking for something, usually money or food, as charity or a favor. In Japanese, expressions vary by context: street begging, polite requests, or desperate pleas.
Asking strangers for money or food on the street, often associated with homelessness.
The most direct term for begging, especially on the street. Can refer to the act or the person (beggar).
I saw someone begging in front of the station.
Literally 'beggar', often used for the person rather than the act. Can be derogatory; use with caution.
Considered rude or insensitive in modern usage; 'ホームレス' (homeless) is more neutral.
He gave some change to a beggar.
A polite phrase literally meaning 'please give me money as charity'. Used by beggars.
On the street, holding a cardboard sign that says 'Please spare some money'.
Earnestly asking someone for something, often with emotional intensity.
To entreat or implore; a formal, strong request. Used in serious situations.
He begged for help.
To plead or beg persistently; implies repeated requests.
A common way to start a begging sentence: 'Please, I'm begging you...'
Please, I'm begging you, give me one more chance.
To appeal or plead pitifully; more emotional and literary.
He begged pitifully for his life.
Assuming the conclusion in the premise; circular reasoning.
Something is available but nobody wants it.
The English idiom 'begging the question' does not mean 'to raise the question'. In Japanese, use 論点先取 or 循環論法 for the logical fallacy. For 'raises the question', use 疑問が生じる (ぎもんがしょうじる).
物乞い (ものごい) is the neutral term for the act of begging. 乞食 (こじき) refers to a beggar and is often derogatory. In modern contexts, ホームレス (homeless) is preferred when referring to people.
He was begging on the street corner.
I'm begging you, please don't go.
I begged her repeatedly until she finally agreed.
Circular reasoning; often used interchangeably with 論点先取.
That's circular reasoning.