請う
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う
請う · godan verb (-u, special)
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 請う | 請わない |
| Polite | 請います | 請いません |
| Past polite | 請いました | 請いませんでした |
| Past | 請うた | 請わなかった |
| Te-form | 請うて | 請わないで |
| Desire | 請いたい | 請いたくない |
| Potential | 請える | 請えない |
| Passive | 請われる | 請われない |
| Causative | 請わせる | 請わせない |
| Causative passive | 請わせられるalso 請わされる | 請わせられないalso 請わされない |
| Volitional | 請おう | |
| Polite volitional | 請いましょう | |
| Imperative | 請え | 請うな |
| Conditional | 請えば | 請わなければ |
| Tara conditional | 請うたら | 請わなかったら |
Meanings
1
godan verb (-u, special), transitive verb
Used for asking for something earnestly, begging, or formally requesting. Can also mean to invite someone to do something. Often used in set phrases like ご了承を請う.
He begged for his life.
I ask for your understanding.
2
godan verb (-u, special), transitive verb
Used for praying or wishing for something, often in a religious or earnest context. Common in set phrases like 神に請う.
I pray to God for peace.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉に許しを乞うto beg someone for forgiveness
He begged the teacher for forgiveness.
- 神に〈事〉を乞うto pray to god for something
The farmers prayed to the gods for rain.
- ご了承を乞うto formally request someone's understanding
I will explain the situation and ask for your understanding.
- 命を乞うto beg for one's life
The captured man begged for his life.