恳 (kěn) — sincere, earnest (bound form used in compounds)
Definition
A bound form meaning 'sincere, earnest,' almost always appearing in compounds like 恳切, 恳求, and 恳请. Use it as a prefix to show heartfelt, pleading tone.
bound form
sincereearnest (bound form used in compounds)
Examples
- 。Tā kěn qiè de xī wàng nǐ néng yuán liàng tā.He sincerely hopes you can forgive him.
- 。Wǒ kěn qiú nǐ zài gěi wǒ yí cì jī huì.I beg you to give me another chance.
- 。Tā kěn qǐng gè wèi duō duō zhǐ jiào.He earnestly requests everyone's guidance.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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 懇; 恳 is its simplified writing.
Sound part声符shēngfú
貇
貇kěn懇kěn
Same sound today
The traditional form 懇 pairs 貇, which gives the pronunciation, with 心 (heart); the simplified 恳 is a shorthand.
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