request
Definitions
An act of asking for something politely or formally.
请求；要求；申请
To ask for something politely or formally.
请求；（正式地）要求
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedre- (again, repeatedly) + quest (the 'quaer' root, to seek/ask) = 'to seek again and again.' Originally you kept asking until you got it; the insistence softened over time into today's polite 'ask for.' The grammar still shows the seeking: you request something of or from someone.
Root quaer still carries 8 more wordsUsage Guide
- request something (transitive): request a refund — the most common pattern
- request that + (should) do: We request that he be present / that he should attend — formal, takes the subjunctive
- at someone's request: a fixed phrase meaning 'because they asked'
- Note: 'request' is more formal than 'ask for.' You don't 'request' a friend to pass the salt; you ask. Also, unlike 'ask,' you do NOT say 'request someone to do' very naturally in everyday speech — it reads stiff/official.
Example Sentences
- 1.
We made a formal request for additional funding.
- 2.
Visitors are requested to switch off their phones.
- 3.
The song was played at the listener's request.