請
solicit, invite, ask
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
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.