恳求 (kěn qiú) is a formal, emotionally charged verb meaning 'to earnestly beg' or 'to plead with deep sincerity.' The first character 恳 (kěn) means 'sincere,' 'earnest,' or 'heartfelt,' conveying genuine emotion and moral weight; the second character 求 (qiú) means 'to ask for' or 'to seek.' Together, they emphasize not just asking, but doing so with humility, urgency, and emotional investment—often when the speaker feels vulnerable or deeply committed to the request.

This word is commonly used in contexts involving appeals for mercy, forgiveness, help, or special consideration. It appears frequently in literature, formal speeches, news reports about social appeals, and heartfelt personal conversations—but rarely in casual daily talk, where simpler verbs like 请求 (qǐngqiú) or 哀求 (āiqiú) might be preferred depending on intensity. 恳求 carries a respectful, almost reverent tone and often implies the speaker acknowledges the listener’s authority or goodwill.