Translation guide
To ask someone earnestly or anxiously to do something. In Japanese, this is expressed through humble requests, pleading, or begging, with the level of politeness and desperation varying by word choice.
To ask someone sincerely and earnestly to do something, often in a formal or polite manner.
A polite and common way to make a request. It can be used in many situations where you are asking someone to do something for you.
Please, I entreat you.
A more formal and humble version of お願いします, suitable for business or when showing deep respect.
I humbly entreat you.
A verb meaning 'to ask' or 'to request'. It can be used among friends or in casual settings, but also in serious requests.
I entreated him for help.
To ask someone desperately or with strong emotion, often when you are in a weak position.
A formal verb meaning 'to entreat' or 'to implore'. It conveys a strong, earnest plea, often used in serious contexts.
She entreated for mercy.
Similar to 懇願する, but often implies a petition or supplication, sometimes in legal or official contexts.
Literally 'to ask desperately'. It conveys a sense of urgency and earnestness.
A literary or formal word for 'to entreat' with a nuance of pitiful pleading.
He entreated for his life.
To entreat someone of higher status using humble language, showing respect and lowering oneself.
A humble pattern: お + verb stem + 願います. It is a polite way to request an action from someone respected.
I entreat your forgiveness.
Similar to お〜願います, but used with Sino-Japanese verbs (nouns). ご + noun + 願います.
I entreat you to consider it.
頼む is a general verb for asking or requesting, ranging from casual to serious. 懇願する is much stronger and formal, implying a desperate or earnest entreaty. Use 頼む for everyday requests, and 懇願する when the situation is grave or highly emotional.
English 'entreat' is somewhat formal and literary. In Japanese, directly translating it with a single word may sound unnatural. Instead, choose an expression based on the level of politeness and desperation. In many cases, a simple お願いします is sufficient.
The prisoner entreated for a reduced sentence.
He entreated desperately, but was refused.