How to say "pleading" in Japanese

• 弁護べんごJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbPleading in the legal sense: defending someone or advocating on their behalf, as when a lawyer pleads a case in court. It can also mean defending a person or position against criticism.
  まことにすみませんが、私のために弁護べんごしていただけませんか。↗

  Would you be kind enough to put in a word for me?
• 懇願こんがんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbPleading in the sense of earnestly begging: imploring someone for something with strong feeling. Typical when you plead for forgiveness, for help, or for permission — the supplication sense, not a legal one.
  彼かれらは我々われわれに援助えんじょを懇願こんがんした。↗

  They appealed to us for help.
• 抗弁こうべんCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA legal term of art: a defense or refutation formally raised against the other side's claim in court. Its 'pleading' is this narrow legal sense; for begging or imploring, it is not the word you want.

For begging or imploring someone, use 懇願; 弁護 is pleading as legal defense or advocacy for someone, and 抗弁 is the narrow legal term for a defense or refutation raised against a claim in court.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 弁護べんごdefense
• 懇願こんがんpleading
• 抗弁こうべんprotest
• 再抗弁さいこうべんpleading
• ねだりbegging
• おねだりbegging