Translation guide
The English verb 'plead' has several distinct uses: begging earnestly, making a legal plea, or giving an excuse. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To ask for something in a serious, emotional, or desperate way.
Formal and strong, used when pleading with someone in a serious situation.
彼は助けを懇願した。
He pleaded for help.
Often used for petitions or public appeals, slightly more formal than 懇願.
To declare one's guilt or innocence in a legal setting.
Standard legal phrasing: 'at arraignment, answer ~'. Fill with 有罪 (guilty) or 無罪 (not guilty).
被告は罪状認否で無罪と答えた。
The defendant pleaded not guilty at the arraignment.
To offer a reason or excuse, often to avoid blame.
To use something as an excuse. Often negative nuance.
彼は疲れを言い訳にして、仕事をサボった。
He pleaded tiredness and skipped work.
The residents pleaded with the city to repair the road.
Literally 'ask desperately', a common way to express pleading in everyday speech.
彼女は必死に頼んだが、聞き入れてもらえなかった。
She pleaded desperately, but they wouldn't listen.
A colloquial way to plead, like 'Please, I'm begging you'. Often used before a request.
お願いだから、もう一度チャンスをください。
Please, I'm begging you, give me one more chance.
General term for asserting a plea, e.g., 無罪を主張する (plead not guilty).
彼は無罪を主張した。
He pleaded not guilty.
To blame something, often used when pleading ignorance or circumstances.
彼は知らなかったのを人のせいにした。
He pleaded that it was someone else's fault he didn't know.