懇願(こんがん)

こんがん
noun, suru verb
entreaty, earnest request
1. entreaty, earnest request, imploring
A desperate, heartfelt plea or request. Implies begging sincerely and urgently, often from a position of vulnerability or need.
命(いのち)を助(たす)けてくれと懇願(こんがん)した。
He begged them to spare his life.
母親(ははおや)は涙(なみだ)ながらに医者(いしゃ)に懇願(こんがん)した。
The mother tearfully implored the doctor.
住民(じゅうみん)たちは工事(こうじ)の中止(ちゅうし)を求(もと)めて市長(しちょう)に懇願(こんがん)したが、計画(けいかく)は予定(よてい)どおり進(すす)められた。
The residents implored the mayor to stop the construction, but the plan proceeded as scheduled.

USAGE:
懇願(こんがん) is a strong word that implies desperate, sincere pleading. It is more intense than 頼(たの)む (to ask) or 依頼(いらい) (to request) — it conveys emotional urgency and vulnerability.

Often used in dramatic or literary contexts, but also appears in news reports about serious situations.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 懇願(こんがん)する: to implore, to beg
  • 涙(なみだ)の懇願(こんがん): tearful plea
  • 必死(ひっし)に懇願(こんがん)する: to desperately implore
  • 懇願(こんがん)を聞(き)き入(い)れる: to grant an earnest request

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 懇願(こんがん): entreaty (desperate, heartfelt pleading)
  • 嘆願(たんがん): petition, appeal (formal plea, often to authorities)
  • 哀願(あいがん): supplication (pleading pitifully)
  • 依頼(いらい): request (neutral, formal)

Related Words

Synonym: 嘆願(たんがん) (petition)
general
Added 2026.2.22 14:51
12500/12686_kongan