恭请 (gōng qǐng) — to cordially invite (very formal, respectful)

Definition

Highly formal written phrase meaning 'cordially invite,' used on invitations, announcements, and ceremonial occasions. Far more deferential than everyday 请.

verb
to cordially invite (very formal, respectful)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 恭请。
    Běn gōng sī gōng qǐng gè wèi jiā bīn cān jiā kāi yè diǎn lǐ.
    Our company cordially invites all distinguished guests to attend the opening ceremony.
  • 恭请。
    gōng qǐng Gè wèi qīn yǒu lì lín hūn lǐ xiàn chǎng.
    We cordially invite all relatives and friends to grace our wedding ceremony with your presence.
  • 恭请。
    Wǒ dài biǎo xié huì gōng qǐng nín chū xí wǎn yàn.
    On behalf of the association, I cordially invite you to attend the banquet.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

恭gōngrespectful
请qǐnginvite

The respect in 恭 and the invitation in 请 combine into a formal request to come.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
共
共gòng恭gōng
Same sound today

恭 has 心, meaning heart, and 共, read gòng.

Open 恭 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 請; 请 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánsay
Sound part声符shēngfú
青
青qīng請qǐng
Same sound today

In the traditional form 請, 言 shows it relates to speaking, and 青 gives the sound; the simplified 请 is a later shorter form.

Open 请 →

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