te lo ruego
/te lo ɾweɡo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I beg you" is translated into Spanish as te lo ruego.
This phrase is used to make a desperate or very earnest request to someone. While a standard request might use te lo pido (I ask you for it), using te lo ruego implies a much higher level of emotional intensity or desperation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of te (to you), lo (it) and ruego (I beg).
Which one should you use?
Te lo ruego is used for an intense, desperate plea, whereas te lo pido is a standard, neutral request.
How does it change in a sentence?
To change who you are begging based on number and formality, replace the object pronoun. When begging a group of people informally in Spain, use os lo ruego. When begging a group of people formally (common in Latin America or formal Spain), use les ruego.
How do you pronounce it?
/te lo ɾweɡo/
Did you know?
- The English word 'interrogative' is a distant linguistic cousin to the Spanish ruego. Both words trace their lineage back to the Latin 'rogare', which means 'to ask'.
- The intensity of the phrase can shift dramatically depending on the setting. In a courtroom, a ruego is not a cry of emotion, but a formal, documented petition submitted to a judge.
- While it sounds like a personal plea, the verb rogar is a staple of professional Spanish. You will often see le ruego que in formal business letters to make a polite request that avoids the appearance of desperation.
Examples in context
- Enséñamelo, te lo ruego.Show it to me, I beg you.This example shows how to use te lo ruego when asking someone to show you something.Tatoeba #8390796 by ManuelML, translation #8416170 by cromwellt
- Deja de gritar, te lo ruego.Stop yelling, I beg you.This example demonstrates using te lo ruego to ask someone to stop yelling.Tatoeba #979125 by hayastan, translation #28915 by Dejo
- Dame una botella, ¡te lo ruego!I beg you, give me a bottle!This example shows the use of te lo ruego when making an urgent request for a bottle.Tatoeba #2179046 by marcelostockle, translation #1747326 by belgavox
- Le ruego que me ayude con este problema.I beg you to help me with this problem.
- Le suplico que considere mi solicitud.I beg you to consider my request.
- Le pido encarecidamente que me dé una oportunidad.I earnestly beg you to give me a chance.
- Te ruego que vengas a mi fiesta de cumpleaños.I beg you to come to my birthday party.
- Te suplico que me prestes tu coche para ir al aeropuerto.I beg you to lend me your car to go to the airport.
- Te pido encarecidamente que me acompañes al concierto.I earnestly beg you to come with me to the concert.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro is asking Elena for one more chance in their relationship.
- AlejandroNo me dejes ahora, te lo ruego.Don't leave me now, I beg you.
- ElenaEs que ya no puedo más, Alejandro.It is just that I can't take it anymore, Alejandro.
- AlejandroEscúchame una vez más, te lo ruego.Listen to me one more time, I beg you.
- ElenaLo siento, pero necesito estar sola.I am sorry, but I need to be alone.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lo, ruego, te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
