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Kotomora

請

solicit, invite, ask

JLPTN1StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 1,000Strokes15

Readings

On'yomi

  • セイ
  • シン
  • ショウ

Kun'yomi

  • こ.う
  • う.ける

Nanori

  • うけ

Meaning

請 centers on making a request: soliciting something, inviting someone, or asking for a favor. The core idea is a verbal appeal directed at another person.

Most common words using 請

20 of 125
  • 申請しんせい
    N2

    application; request; petition

  • 請求せいきゅう
    N3

    claim; demand; charge; application; request; billing (for a service)

  • 要請ようせい
    N1

    appeal; call for something; request; claim; demand

  • 請負うけおい

    contract (for work); contracting; undertaking

  • 強請りねだり

    begging; pestering; pleading; coaxing

  • 下請けしたうけ

    subcontract

  • 強請るねだる
    N1

    to beg; to pester; to plead; to coax; to hound; to importune

  • 請願せいがん
    N1

    petition

  • 請しょう

    request; invitation

  • 請け負ううけおう

    to contract (to do); to undertake; to take on (work)

  • 請負人うけおいにん

    contractor

  • 強請りゆすり

    blackmail; extortion; racketeering

  • 請いこい

    request; entreaty

  • 勧請かんじょう

    praying for the coming of a deity

  • 元請けもとうけ

    prime contract work; prime contractor

  • 請け合いうけあい

    assurance; guarantee

  • 普請ふしん

    building; construction

  • 招請しょうせい

    invitation

  • 安請け合いやすうけあい

    promising without due consideration

  • 請求権せいきゅうけん

    claim rights

Explore all words using 請 →

Study

Etymology

請 combines 言 (words, speech) with 青, which likely contributes the sound and may suggest a clear or pure request. The character expresses asking or inviting through speech.

Meaning mnemonic

Words (言) spoken clearly (青) to someone: you are asking them for something or inviting them. Picture a clear, polite request made with careful speech.

Reading mnemonic

For セイ, imagine you say (セイ) the words clearly when you ask: 'Say' -> セイ, and your clear speech makes the request.