qǐngqiú: 请求 - To Request, Request

• Keywords: 请求, qǐngqiú, how to say request in Chinese, formal request in Chinese, make a request in Chinese, Chinese for request, what is qingqiu, qǐngqiú vs yāoqiú, apply in Chinese, ask for in Chinese.
• Summary: Learn how to use 请求 (qǐngqiú), the essential Chinese word for “to request” or a formal “request”. This comprehensive guide explores its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in business, technical, and official situations. Understand the crucial difference between a polite 请求 (qǐngqiú) and a firm 要求 (yāoqiú) to communicate effectively and respectfully in Mandarin Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qǐngqiú
• Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To formally or politely ask for something; a formal request.
• In a Nutshell: 请求 (qǐngqiú) is your go-to word for making a polite and formal request. Think of it as a step above a simple “ask” and a step below a “demand.” It's used when you want to show respect, acknowledge the other person's authority or right to refuse, or when the situation requires formality (like in business, legal, or official contexts).

• 请 (qǐng): This character means “please,” “to ask,” or “to invite.” It's composed of the “speech” radical (讠) on the left and a phonetic component 青 (qīng) on the right. The speech radical tells you this word is related to speaking or making a request.
• 求 (qiú): This character means “to seek,” “to beg,” or “to ask for.” It conveys a sense of actively seeking out something you need or desire.
• When combined, 请求 (qǐngqiú) literally translates to “please seek” or “to ask and seek.” This combination elevates a simple “ask” into a more formal, polite, and considered action. You are politely asking someone to grant you something that you are seeking.

In Western cultures, particularly American culture, directness in making requests is often valued for its efficiency. One might say, “I need you to send me that report by 3 PM.” In Chinese culture, however, maintaining harmony and showing respect, especially in hierarchical relationships (like employee-to-boss), is paramount. This is where 请求 (qǐngqiú) becomes crucial. It's the linguistic tool for navigating these social dynamics. Using 请求 instead of a more direct command signals: 1. Respect: You acknowledge the other person's position or the effort required to fulfill the request. 2. Politeness: You are framing your need as a humble request, not an entitled demand. 3. Face (面子 - miànzi): You give the other person “face” by allowing them the clear option to decline without embarrassment. A direct demand can cause someone to lose face if they cannot comply. By using 请求, you are not just asking for something; you are participating in a social ritual that reinforces respect and harmony within a given context.

请求 is not typically used for casual, everyday requests between friends (e.g., “Can you pass the water?”). Its use is reserved for specific, more formal contexts.

This is the most common environment for 请求. It's used in emails, official documents, and formal meetings.

• 请求批准 (qǐngqiú pīzhǔn): To request approval (e.g., for a project or leave)
• 请求协助 (qǐngqiú xiézhù): To request assistance
• 请求提供信息 (qǐngqiú tígōng xìnxī): To request that information be provided

In IT and computer science, 请求 is the standard term for a “request” in client-server communication.

• HTTP 请求 (HTTP qǐngqiú): An HTTP request
• 发送一个请求 (fāsòng yīgè qǐngqiú): To send a request (to a server)

When used as a noun, 请求 means “a request” itself.

• 提出一个请求 (tíchū yīgè qǐngqiú): To raise/make a request
• 拒绝请求 (jùjué qǐngqiú): To deny/refuse a request

• Example 1:
  • 我在此请求批准我下周休假。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zài cǐ qǐngqiú pīzhǔn wǒ xià zhōu xiūjià.
  • English: I hereby request approval for my vacation leave next week.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of a formal, written request to a superior. Using 请求 is professional and respectful.
• Example 2:
  • 他拒绝了我的请求。
  • Pinyin: Tā jùjuéle wǒ de qǐngqiú.
  • English: He rejected my request.
  • Analysis: Here, 请求 is used as a noun. The sentence implies the request was of a formal or serious nature.
• Example 3:
  • 我们请求贵公司提供一份详细的产品目录。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen qǐngqiú guì gōngsī tígōng yī fèn xiángxì de chǎnpǐn mùlù.
  • English: We request that your esteemed company provide a detailed product catalog.
  • Analysis: A standard, polite business-to-business request. The word 贵公司 (guì gōngsī - your esteemed company) further enhances the formality.
• Example 4:
  • 如果您需要帮助，请随时向我们提出请求。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nín xūyào bāngzhù, qǐng suíshí xiàng wǒmen tíchū qǐngqiú.
  • English: If you need help, please feel free to make a request to us at any time.
  • Analysis: Here, 请求 is a noun. This is a polite, customer-service-oriented phrase.
• Example 5:
  • 客户端向服务器发送了一个登录请求。
  • Pinyin: Kèhùduān xiàng fúwùqì fāsòngle yīgè dēnglù qǐngqiú.
  • English: The client sent a login request to the server.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the technical usage of 请求 as “request” in the context of computing.
• Example 6:
  • 我真诚地请求你的原谅。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhēnchéng de qǐngqiú nǐ de yuánliàng.
  • English: I sincerely request your forgiveness.
  • Analysis: While 请求 is formal, it can be used in serious personal situations. It carries much more weight and sincerity than simply saying “对不起 (duìbuqǐ)”.
• Example 7:
  • 律师代表其当事人向法庭请求延期审理。
  • Pinyin: Lǜshī dàibiǎo qí dāngshìrén xiàng fǎtíng qǐngqiú yánqī shěnlǐ.
  • English: The lawyer, on behalf of their client, requested a postponement from the court.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of 请求 in a legal context, where formality and precise language are essential.
• Example 8:
  • 这是一个非常合理的请求。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì yīgè fēicháng hélǐ de qǐngqiú.
  • English: This is a very reasonable request.
  • Analysis: Using 请求 as a noun to describe the nature of the request itself.
• Example 9:
  • 市民们请求政府关注日益严重的污染问题。
  • Pinyin: Shìmínmen qǐngqiú zhèngfǔ guānzhù rìyì yánzhòng de wūrǎn wèntí.
  • English: The citizens requested that the government pay attention to the increasingly serious pollution problem.
  • Analysis: Used for formal petitions or requests from a group to an authority.
• Example 10:
  • 他向我请求支援，我立刻同意了。
  • Pinyin: Tā xiàng wǒ qǐngqiú zhīyuán, wǒ lìkè tóngyìle.
  • English: He requested support from me, and I agreed immediately.
  • Analysis: This shows a request for significant help or backup, making the formality of 请求 appropriate even between colleagues.

• 请求 (qǐngqiú) vs. 要求 (yāoqiú): This is the most critical distinction for learners.
  • 请求 (qǐngqiú) is a polite request. It implies the other person can say no. (e.g., I request your help.)
  • 要求 (yāoqiú) is a demand or requirement. It implies obligation. (e.g., The job requires three years of experience.)
  • Incorrect Usage: `我要求你帮我一下。` (Wǒ yāoqiú nǐ bāng wǒ yīxià.) - This sounds very rude, like “I demand you help me.”
  • Correct Usage: `我请求你帮我一下。` (Wǒ qǐngqiú nǐ bāng wǒ yīxià.) - This is formal but correct. For a casual situation, you'd just say: `你能帮我一下吗？` (Nǐ néng bāng wǒ yīxià ma?)
• 请求 (qǐngqiú) vs. 问 (wèn):
  • 问 (wèn) is used for asking a question to get information.
  • 请求 (qǐngqiú) is for asking someone to do something or for permission.
  • Incorrect: `我请求现在几点了？` (Wǒ qǐngqiú xiànzài jǐ diǎnle?)
  • Correct: `我问一下，现在几点了？` (Wǒ wèn yīxià, xiànzài jǐ diǎnle?)
• Overusing Formality: Do not use 请求 for small, everyday favors among friends or family. Asking your friend `我请求你把盐递给我` (I request you to pass me the salt) would sound bizarre and sarcastic. Just say `请把盐递给我` (Please pass the salt) or `能给我盐吗？` (Can you give me the salt?).

• 要求 (yāoqiú) - To demand; to require; a requirement. Much stronger and less polite than 请求.
• 申请 (shēnqǐng) - To apply for. Used specifically for formal applications like a visa, a job, a patent, or university admission.
• 需要 (xūyào) - To need; a need. States a necessity, but is not a direct request to another person.
• 请 (qǐng) - Please; to invite; to ask. The basic building block of politeness in requests.
• 问 (wèn) - To ask (a question). Used for inquiries, not for actions or favors.
• 拜托 (bàituō) - To implore; to entreat; “please, I'm begging you!” More informal and personal than 请求, often used when you're in a bind.
• 恳求 (kěnqiú) - To beseech; to implore. Even more earnest and emotionally charged than 拜托. Used in very serious or desperate situations.