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The character 請 (qǐng) evolved from ancient Chinese script forms. It consists of the semantic component 言 (speech/language) combined with the phonetic component 青 (qīng). Originally meaning 'to request' or 'to ask,' it depicted the concept of making a verbal appeal or petition. Over time, its meaning expanded to include 'to invite,' 'to please,' and in legal contexts 'to plead.' The character appears in classical texts like the Analects and Book of Rites, maintaining its core meaning of formal verbal request throughout Chinese history. Arrived in Japan: The character 請 arrived in Japan during the 5th-6th centuries CE as part of the broader introduction of Chinese writing system (kanji) through Korean scribes and Buddhist texts. It was incorporated into the Japanese language with readings 'sei' (onyomi) and 'kou/ko' (kunyomi), retaining meanings of request, invitation, and appeal, and appears in early Japanese texts like the Man'yōshū (8th century).