beg in English
- beg⇄beg (1), verb, begged,begging.
- beg⇄beg (2), noun. bey.
- beg⇄expr. beg off, to make an excuse for not being able to keep a promise.
Ex. He had promised to come but he begged off because of a headache. - beg⇄expr. beg the question. See under question.
- beg⇄expr. go begging, to find no one who will accept.
Ex. His proposals for needed reforms went begging. - beg⇄v.i. 1. to ask help or charity.
Ex. The crippled old man lived by begging.
2. to make entreaty; petition.
Ex. The prisoner begged for mercy. - beg⇄v.t. 1. to ask for (food, money, clothes, lodging, or help) as a charity.
Ex. The tramp begged his meals.
2. to ask as a favor; ask earnestly or humbly.
Ex. He begged his mother to forgive him.
3. to ask formally and courteously
beg in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
beg in Hindi हिन्दी
beg in Kashmiri कॉशुर
beg in Konkani कोंकणी
beg in Sindhi سنڌي
beg in Telugu తెలుగు
beg in Urdu اُردُو
Beg
Part of Speech
Verb, Noun
Pronunciation
UK: /bɛɡ/, US: /bɛɡ/
Definitions
- To ask for something earnestly or humbly, often for help or money.
- To solicit or plead for something persistently.
- A person who asks for help or charity, especially on the street.
Usage Examples
- "She begged for mercy after her mistake."
- "The homeless man begged for spare change."
- "He begged to be forgiven for his actions."
Etymology
The word 'beg' comes from the Old English word 'beggan,' meaning 'to ask for, to beg, to solicit.' It has roots in Proto-Germanic and Proto-Indo-European languages.
Synonyms
- Implore
- Entreat
- Request
- Solicit
- Ask
- Plead
- Crave
Antonyms
- Refuse
- Reject
- Deny
- Command
- Offer
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic | يتسول | Yatasawwal |
| Chinese | 乞求 | Qǐqiú |
| French | supplier | su-plee-ay |
| Spanish | rogar | roh-gahr |
| German | betteln | bet-teln |
| Italian | implorare | im-plo-ra-re |
| Russian | умолять | umolyat' |
| Japanese | 乞う | Kou |
| Korean | 구걸하다 | Gugalhada |
| Portuguese | implorar | im-plo-rahr |
| Hindi | भिक्षा माँगना | Bhiksha Maangna |
| Bengali | ভিক্ষা চাওয়া | Bhiksha Chawa |
| Punjabi | ਭਿਖ ਮੰਗਣਾ | Bhikh Mangna |
| Marathi | भिक मागणे | Bhik Maagne |
| Gujarati | ભીખ માગવી | Bheek Maagvi |
| Telugu | భిక్ష కోరడం | Bhiksha Koredham |
| Tamil | பிச்சை கேட்குதல் | Pichai Kettuthal |
| Kannada | ಭಿಕ್ಷೆ ಕೇಳುವುದು | Bhiksha Keluvudu |
| Odia | ভিক্ষা ମାଗିବା | Bhiksha Magiba |
| Malayalam | പിശകുചെയ്യുക | Pishakcheyyuka |
| Assamese | ভিক্ষা মন্নাই | Bhiksha Mannai |
| Punjabi | ਭਿਖ ਮੰਗਣਾ | Bhikh Mangna |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- In American English: /bɛɡ/ (slightly softer 'e' sound)
- In British English: /bɛɡ/ (with a more defined 'e' sound)
- In Australian English: /bɛɡ/ (very similar to British pronunciation)
- In Indian English: /bɛɡ/ (pronounced slightly differently depending on regional dialects)
Historical Usage
The word 'beg' has been used in English since the 9th century, appearing in Old English as 'beggan' meaning 'to ask or request.' The concept of begging has long been tied to the idea of humbling oneself or asking for assistance, often in times of hardship.
Cultural Nuances
In many cultures, begging is seen as a last resort, often associated with poverty or desperation. The cultural perception of begging varies; in some societies, it may be viewed with sympathy, while in others, it is met with disdain. The act of begging can also symbolize humility or a sense of helplessness.
More Information
The term 'beg' is not just confined to literal asking for material goods. In broader contexts, it can imply requesting something important or significant, such as a favor or even forgiveness. The word has evolved over time to encompass various degrees of urgency, from humble requests to desperate pleas. It's crucial to consider the social and cultural context in which begging takes place, as it can have vastly different meanings depending on the situation.