How to Say "to beg" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to beg” is “rogar” — use 'rogar' when you are asking for something with intense emotion or desperation, often a personal appeal for forgiveness or a favor..
rogar
/ro-GAHR//roˈɡaɾ/
Examples
Te rogo que me escuches.
I beg you to listen to me.
Te ruego que me perdones.
I beg you to forgive me.
Le rogamos que no fume en el edificio.
We request that you do not smoke in the building.
El niño rogó por un juguete nuevo.
The boy pleaded for a new toy.
The 'o' to 'ue' Switch
This verb changes its 'o' to 'ue' in almost all present forms. However, this change does NOT happen in the 'nosotros' (we) or 'vosotros' (you all) forms.
Triggering the Special Form
When you use 'rogar' to ask someone to do something (using 'que'), the verb that follows must use the subjunctive (special wish form), like: 'Ruego que vengas' (I beg that you come).
Spelling in the Past
Mistake: “yo rogé”
Correction: yo rogué. In the 'I' form of the past tense, you must add a 'u' after the 'g' to keep the hard 'g' sound.
implorar
/eem-ploh-RAHR//imploˈɾaɾ/
Examples
El prisionero vino a implorar clemencia al rey.
The prisoner came to beg for clemency from the king.
Él vino a implorar perdón por sus errores.
He came to beg for forgiveness for his mistakes.
Los ciudadanos imploran ayuda ante la crisis.
The citizens are imploring for help in the face of the crisis.
No me hagas implorar por una respuesta.
Don't make me beg for an answer.
Using 'implorar' with people
When you are begging a specific person, you need to use the 'personal a' before their name or the word for them: 'Imploro a mi jefe' (I beg my boss).
Direct objects
Unlike English which often uses 'for' (beg for help), in Spanish you can simply say 'implorar ayuda' without a preposition between the verb and the thing you want.
Don't over-use it
Mistake: “Using 'implorar' for a simple favor like 'Can I have some water?'”
Correction: Use 'pedir' for simple requests. Only use 'implorar' when the situation is desperate or very emotional.
suplicar
/soo-plee-kar//supliˈkaɾ/
Examples
Ella le suplicó que no la abandonara.
She begged him not to abandon her.
Te suplico que no te vayas.
I beg you not to go.
Los ciudadanos suplicaron por una solución al problema.
The citizens pleaded for a solution to the problem.
El reo suplicó clemencia ante el juez.
The prisoner pleaded for mercy before the judge.
Spelling Change Alert
The 'c' changes to 'qu' in certain past forms (supliqué) and the special 'wishes' form (suplique) to keep the hard 'k' sound.
Using 'que'
When you beg someone to do something, use 'suplicar que' followed by a special verb form (the subjunctive).
Confusing with Pedir
Mistake: “Using 'suplicar' for a simple request like asking for salt.”
Correction: Use 'pedir' for simple requests. Only use 'suplicar' if you are desperate or in a formal setting.
Spelling Error
Mistake: “Writing 'suplicé' in the past tense.”
Correction: It must be 'supliqué' so it sounds like 'su-plee-kay' instead of 'su-plee-say'.
Emotional Intensity vs. Specific Request
Related Translations
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