Definition

1. Verb:
   • To beseech; to implore; to entreat earnestly and persistently: "nài xin" describes the act of making a very earnest, insistent, and often humble request or plea to someone, typically for something needed or desired.

Usage

• Core Meaning: Used when someone asks for something with great urgency, humility, and persistence, often because they are in a difficult situation or feel the matter is of utmost importance. It conveys a stronger sense of pleading than simple requests like "xin" (to ask for/request).
• Grammar: Functions as a transitive verb. The person being pleaded with is often introduced by the preposition "người nào đó" (someone). The object of the plea (what is being asked for) follows the verb.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Đứa trẻ nài xin mẹ mua cho món đồ chơi. (The child beseeched his mother to buy him the toy.)
  • Cô ấy nài xin sự tha thứ của anh. (She implored him for forgiveness.)
  • Người dân nài xin chính quyền giúp đỡ sau trận lũ. (The people entreated the authorities for help after the flood.)

Advanced Usage

• "nài xin ai đó làm gì": to beseech/implore someone to do something.
  • Anh ta nài xin tôi đừng bỏ đi. (He implored me not to leave.)
• "nài xin sự giúp đỡ/tha thứ": to beg for help/forgiveness.
  • Hắn nài xin sự giúp đỡ từ bất kỳ ai đi ngang qua. (He begged for help from anyone passing by.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nài (verb): to insist, to press (someone to do/accepted something). Less focused on the humble "pleading" aspect than "nài xin".
  • Tôi đã nài anh ấy ở lại ăn tối. (I insisted that he stay for dinner.)
• Xin (verb): to ask for, to request. A more general and less intense term.
  • Tôi xin một ly nước. (I ask for a glass of water.)
• Cầu xin (verb): to beg, to pray for (often with a connotation of supplication, sometimes to a higher power).
  • Họ cầu xin thần linh phù hộ. (They prayed to the gods for protection.)
• Van xin (verb): to beg pitifully, to supplicate (emphasizes a state of wretchedness or desperation).
  • Kẻ ăn xin van xin lòng thương hại. (The beggar pleaded pitifully for mercy.)

Synonyms

• Khẩn khoản: to entreat earnestly and politely.
• Thiết tha: to plead fervently, with deep feeling.
• Quỳ lạy: to beg on one's knees (literally and figuratively, very strong).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Năn nỉ nài xin: to plead and beg persistently (redundant for emphasis).
  • Dù cô ấy năn nỉ nài xin, anh vẫn từ chối. (Even though she pleaded and begged, he still refused.)

1. Beseech