Translation guide
A plea is a serious or emotional request, often made in a difficult situation. In Japanese, the way you express a plea depends on the context: a personal appeal, a legal statement, or a desperate cry for help. This guide covers the most natural ways to convey these meanings.
To ask someone earnestly or desperately to do something, often for your sake or someone else's.
The most common and versatile way to make a heartfelt request. It can be used alone as 'Please!' or in longer sentences. It carries a sense of personal appeal.
お願い、助けてください。
Please, help me.
彼にお願いして、来てもらった。
I pleaded with him to come.
A direct, sometimes masculine way to say 'I'm asking you' or 'I beg you.' Often used among friends or in casual situations. Can sound forceful.
頼む！許してくれ。
I'm begging you! Forgive me.
A formal, written word meaning 'to entreat' or 'to implore.' Used in serious contexts like petitions or formal appeals.
彼らは政府に支援を懇願した。
They pleaded with the government for support.
To formally state in court whether you are guilty or not guilty.
The legal term for 'plea' as in entering a plea. Often used with する or in the phrase 罪状認否を行う.
被告人は罪状認否で無罪を主張した。
The defendant entered a plea of not guilty.
Refers to the defendant's answer or plea in court. Commonly used in legal contexts.
To beg for one's life, safety, or relief in a life-threatening or extreme situation.
Literally 'begging for one's life.' Used when someone pleads to be spared from death or harm.
彼は命乞いをしたが、容赦されなかった。
He pleaded for his life, but was shown no mercy.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'a cry for help.' It conveys the sense of a desperate plea.
彼女の助けを求める叫びが聞こえた。
I heard her plea for help.
To offer an explanation, often seen as an excuse, for not doing something or for a mistake.
The standard word for 'excuse' or 'plea' in the sense of a justification. Can be used in phrases like 言い訳をする.
彼は遅刻の言い訳をした。
He made a plea of being late. / He gave an excuse for being late.
A more formal word for 'justification' or 'plea.' Often used in serious contexts.
The English word 'plea' covers many situations, but there is no single Japanese word that fits all. Always choose the expression based on the specific context: personal request, legal statement, desperate cry, or excuse.
お願い is polite and can be used in most situations. 頼む is more direct and often used by men in casual settings. Using 頼む with strangers or superiors can sound rude.
裁判官は被告に答弁を求めた。
The judge asked the defendant for his plea.
彼の弁解は受け入れられなかった。
His plea was not accepted.