命乞い

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 命乞い is read as いのちごい and is a noun for desperately pleading to be spared when one’s life is under threat.
• Basic usage: Use 命乞いをする, mark the person appealed to with に, and form the negative connection as 命乞いをせず.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Stronger than an ordinary request
  • It is specifically a plea to preserve one’s life in mortal danger, not a general request for help.
• Addressee and requested outcome
  • 敵に marks the party being begged, while demanding companions’ release is distinct from begging for one’s own life.