请
qǐng
please / invite
请 is a polite word used before requests, invitations, and service phrases. It helps direct Mandarin sentences sound softer.
Example sentences
请进。
Qǐng jìn.
Please come in.
请说慢一点。
Qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn.
Please speak a little slower.
How to use 请 in practice
请 is a greetings item that is easiest to learn inside a complete sentence. Read it with the pinyin qǐng, then connect it to the meaning “please / invite” before trying to use it from memory. The examples on this page show the phrase in context: 请进。 / 请说慢一点。.
When you practice 请, do not stop at recognition. Say one example aloud, swap in a new person, place, object, or time word, and then use the phrase in a short answer. This turns a glossary entry into real Mandarin output and exposes word-order or pronunciation mistakes quickly.
Common learner mistake
A common learner mistake is to memorize 请 only as “please / invite” and then translate word by word from English. Instead, learn the whole chunk with the words around it. Notice which nouns, verbs, measure words, or polite markers appear before and after the phrase, and copy that pattern in your own sentence.
Mini practice prompt
Practice prompt: open Chinese speaking practice, start a short conversation, and use 请 naturally in your first or second reply. If the sentence feels awkward, compare it with the examples above and try again with a smaller sentence.
Memory tip: review 请 tomorrow by covering the English meaning, reading only qǐng, and producing a sentence before checking the examples. Active recall helps this word survive beyond one reading session.
Practice related pages
FAQ
Do Chinese speakers always use 请?
Not always. It is useful for learners because it clearly marks a polite request.
How can I remember 请 faster?
Say 请 inside a full sentence, change one detail, and repeat it in a realistic prompt. The combination of sound, meaning, and context is stronger than memorizing the translation alone.
Can I use 请 in conversation practice?
Yes. Start with the example sentence, then use 请 in a short AI conversation so you can see whether the surrounding word order and tone feel natural.
Published by AI Chinese Coach