物乞い
Monogoi
The Japanese word for begging is 物乞い (Monogoi).
物乞い is a noun that refers to the act of begging.
Meaning: the act of one who begs (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 物乞い refers to the act of begging, the term 乞食 is a noun used to describe the person who is begging. However, be aware that 乞食 is often considered a derogatory or harsh term.
How does it change in a sentence?
In desperate situations, one might also use the informal expression 助けて to beg for help.
How do you pronounce it?
Monogoi
Did you know?
- The derogatory term 乞食 shares its roots with Buddhist monks who were forbidden from farming or storing food and had to rely entirely on alms.
- In modern internet slang, the root of 乞食 appears in terms like 垢乞食 to describe people who 'beg' for social media followers or attention.
- Historically, some forms of organized begging in Japan were licensed by the government as a regulated social system.
Examples in context
- 女性の乞食が５～６人の子どもをぞろぞろつれて物乞いをしていました。A female beggar was begging with five or six children following along.This sentence shows the use of 物乞い to describe someone performing the act of begging.Tatoeba #74796 by fcbond, translation #328923 by fcbond
- お願いいたします！助けてください！Please! Help me!
- 頼む！もう少しだけ待ってくれない？Please! Could you wait just a little longer?
- 助けて！どうか助けてください！Help me! Please, I beg you!
- 昔の物語では、物乞いの姿がよく描かれています。Mukashi no monogatari de wa, monogoi no sugata ga yoku egakarete imasu.In old stories, the figure of a beggar is often depicted.
- 彼は物乞いをして生活を繋いでいました。Kare wa monogoi o shite seikatsu o tsunaide imashita.He was surviving by begging.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a historical documentary in a cafe.
- 美咲 Misakiそのドキュメンタリー、物乞いの生活について描いていたよ。Sono dokyumentari, monogoi no seikatsu ni tsuite egaite ita yo.That documentary depicted the life of a beggar.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうだったんだ、とても厳しそうな内容だった？Sou datta n da, totemo kibishisou na naiyou datta?I see, was the content very harsh?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、大翔君もきっと驚くと思うよ。Un, Hiroto-kun mo kitto odoroku to omou yo.Yeah, I think you would be surprised too, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hiroto一度見てみたいな。Ichido mite mitai na.I'd like to watch it sometime.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
