gài

匄

Character · Verb · NounTraditional丐

to beg; beggar

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 4 examples
1.

verb

to beg; to ask for alms

literary

Used in classical or literary Chinese. The original form and meaning is shared with the character 丐 (gài).

Qiǎo巧
yán言
lìng令
sè色
 ，
xiān鲜
yǐ矣
rén仁
 。
Qiǎo巧
yán言
lìng令
sè色
 ，
gài丐
yě也
 。

Fine words and an insinuating appearance are seldom associated with true virtue. Fine words and an insinuating appearance are akin to begging. (Adapted from the Analects, illustrating the classical, metaphorical use)

Xíng行
gài丐
yú于
shì市
 。

He went begging in the market.

2.

noun

beggar; mendicant

archaic

An archaic term for a beggar.

Lù路
yǒu有
è饿
piǎo殍
 ，
mín民
jiē皆
chéng成
gài丐
 。

There were starving corpses on the roads; the people had all become beggars.

Gài丐
zhě者
 ，
qiú求
shí食
zhě者
yě也
 。

A beggar is one who seeks food.