懇願

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 懇願 is read as こんがん and is a noun and する verb for pleading earnestly and sincerely with someone to do something.
• Basic usage: Pleading with a guard appears in 守衛に懇願する, while hearing someone’s earnest plea appears in 懇願を聞く.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An especially earnest request
  • It is more urgent and heartfelt than an ordinary request, and the person being pleaded with is commonly marked by に.
• Difference from 頼む
  • Compared with the everyday verb for asking or requesting, this word conveys a much stronger appeal born of urgency.