request

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on readings are せい, しん, しょう, and the kun readings are こう, うける. It has 15 strokes and relates to requesting something or undertaking work.
• Basic usage: 請う is read こう, and 請ける is read うける.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 請う and 請ける
  • 請う means ask or request. It is a verb read こう for asking another person for advice, instruction, or something similar.
  • 専門家に助言を請うため、資料をまとめて面会を申し込んだ。 means “I organized the materials and requested a meeting to ask an expert for advice.”
  • 請ける means undertake or contract for. It is a verb read うける for accepting contracted work or a commissioned task.
  • 父の工房は古い門の修理を請けました。 means “My father's workshop took on the repair of an old gate.”