pray
gb/pɹˈeɪ/ us/pɹˈeɪ/
A2
Engleză
~ 7000
imádkozik, remél, kérem, kérjük, kérlek, legyen szíves, kérelmez
VERB
A2
1
imádkozik
B1
Tipar de utilizare:
to pray to [deity] for [something]
Every night they pray to God for their children's safety.
Minden este Istenhez imádkoznak a gyermekeik biztonságáért.
The villagers gathered in the temple to pray for rain.
A falusiak összegyűltek a templomban, hogy esőért imádkozzanak.
She knelt by the bed and prayed for strength to face the next day.
We held hands and prayed over the sick child.
He silently prayed that his loved ones would be protected during the storm.
Exemple pentru cursanți
She prays to God every morning.
Minden reggel Istenhez imádkozik.
They pray for their family when they are worried.
Amikor aggódnak, a családjukért imádkoznak.
We go to church to pray together.
He prays for peace in the world.
The old woman sits and prays in the small chapel.
Greșeală frecventă:
Learners sometimes say *"pray God"* instead of *"pray to God"*. Use *"pray to [someone]"* for who you speak to, and *"pray for [something/someone]"* for what you ask about. Also, do not use *pray* when you only mean *hope* in non-religious contexts; say *"I hope it doesn't rain"*, not always *"I pray it doesn't rain"*.
Sens
speak to God or a god
Colocații
pray to God
|pray for help
|pray for peace
|pray for [someone]
|pray together
|kneel and pray
Sinonime
worship (Focuses more on honoring and praising a god; not always about asking for something.)
|
implore (Means to beg very seriously; not limited to religious contexts.)
Antonime
curse (Calling for harm or misfortune instead of asking a god for help or blessing.)
Teme
religion
|emotions
|daily life
|communication
Definiție
To talk to God or a god, usually to ask for help or say thank you.
To speak to God or a god, especially to ask for help, guidance, or forgiveness, or to give thanks or worship.
VERB
B1
2
remél
A2
Tipar de utilizare:
to pray (that) [clause]
I’m just praying it doesn’t rain on our wedding day.
Csak nagyon remélem, hogy nem esik az eső az esküvőnk napján.
She prayed that her name would be on the acceptance list.
Nagyon remélte, hogy a neve rajta lesz a felvételi listán.
We all prayed nothing would go wrong during the surgery.
He silently prayed that nobody had seen his mistake.
They prayed for a miracle, even though the chances were small.
Exemple pentru cursanți
I pray that you arrive safely.
Nagyon remélem, hogy épségben megérkezel.
We pray it does not snow tomorrow.
Nagyon reméljük, hogy holnap nem fog havazni.
She prays that her team will win.
He prays nothing bad will happen.
They pray that their plan will work.
Greșeală frecventă:
Learners may overuse *pray* in casual situations where native speakers usually say *hope*. For everyday wishes like exams, weather, or travel, *"I hope..."* is more common; *"I pray..."* can sound very serious or dramatic.
Sens
strongly hope for something
Colocații
pray it works
|pray nothing goes wrong
|pray for a miracle
|pray it doesn’t rain
|just pray and wait
Sinonime
hope (More general and neutral; *pray* suggests a stronger or more emotional wish.)
|
wish (Often less intense or more hypothetical than *pray* in this sense.)
Antonime
dread (Means to strongly fear or expect something bad, the opposite emotional direction of *praying for* a good outcome.)
Teme
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definiție
To really, really hope that something happens or does not happen.
To feel or express a very strong hope that something will or will not happen, sometimes without clear religious intent.
VERB
B2
FORMAL
3
Tipar de utilizare:
pray [bare infinitive]
Pray sit down and make yourself comfortable.
So, pray tell, how did you manage that?
Pray forgive my interruption, but I must speak.
Pray continue; I am most interested in your story.
Pray be careful how you speak of my family.
Exemple pentru cursanți
In old books, a man says, “Pray sit, madam.”
He says, “Pray forgive me,” in a formal way.
People today almost never say “Pray tell” except as a joke.
The host said, “Pray come in and rest.”
“Pray listen,” the teacher said in the story.
Greșeală frecventă:
Learners sometimes think this use of *pray* is modern or common because they see it in literature or subtitles. In real life, most speakers do not use *pray* this way except humorously or in imitation of old-fashioned style. Use *please* instead in normal conversation.
Sens
formal way to say “please”
Colocații
pray continue
|pray tell
|pray be seated
|I pray you
|pray forgive me
Sinonime
please (Modern and common; *pray* is old-fashioned or used jokingly or dramatically.)
Antonime
demand (A forceful request without politeness, contrasting with the very polite tone of *pray* in this sense.)
Teme
politeness
|literature
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definiție
A very formal, old way to say “please,” used before a verb when asking someone to do something.
Used in formal or old-fashioned style before a verb to mean “please,” often to introduce a polite request or question.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
4
kérelmez
C1
Tipar de utilizare:
to pray [relief/judgment] from [court]
The plaintiff prays for judgment in the amount of $50,000.
A felperes 50 000 dollár megítélését kérelmezi.
In her complaint, she prays that the court grant injunctive relief.
Keresetlevelében azt kérelmezi, hogy a bíróság rendeljen el tiltó intézkedést.
The petitioners pray this honorable court to dismiss the charges.
The defendant prays that the case be transferred to another jurisdiction.
The motion prays for an order compelling discovery.
Exemple pentru cursanți
In some legal texts, it says, “The plaintiff prays for relief.”
Egyes jogi szövegekben ez áll: „A felperes jogorvoslatot kér.”
Lawyers sometimes write, “The defendant prays that the court dismiss this case.”
Az ügyvédek néha ezt írják: „Az alperes kérelmezi, hogy a bíróság utasítsa el a keresetet.”
Here, *prays* means *formally asks* the court.
The document says, “The applicant prays that this court grant bail.”
Students of law must learn how *pray* is used in legal writing.
Greșeală frecventă:
Learners may think this legal use of *pray* is related to religion in meaning. In legal texts, it simply means *formally request* and does not imply religious prayer.
Sens
formally request in legal writing
Colocații
prays for judgment
|prays that the court
|prays for relief
|prays the court to
|plaintiff prays
Sinonime
petition (Standard legal term for formally asking a court; close in register and context.)
Antonime
waive (To give up a right or claim, the opposite of formally asking for it.)
Teme
law
|official
|communication
Definiție
In legal language, to formally ask a court for a certain decision or action.
In legal documents, to make a formal request for a specific judgment, order, or remedy from a court.
Gramatică
Forma de dicționar
pray
IPA
GB/pɹˈeɪ/
US/pɹˈeɪ/
Silabe și accent
pray (1 silabă)
Stress on 1st syllable (pray)
Forme ale cuvântului
Verb
- Base: pray
- 3rd Person Singular: prays
- Present Participle: praying
- Past: prayed
Familie de cuvinte
Forms
prays
verb
praying
verb
prayed
verb
Core family
prayer
noun A2
Related words
prayerful
adjective
Advanced or less common
prayerfully
adverb
Expresii
pray about
1/pɹˈeɪ əbˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
seek guidance in prayer
To talk to God about a problem or choice and ask for help or guidance.
Exemple
- She said she needed time to pray about the job offer.
- Before we decide, let’s pray about it together.
- He spent the evening praying about how to handle the conflict.
pray for
1/pɹˈeɪ fɚ/
phrasal verb
ask God for something
To talk to God or a god and ask for a special thing, person, or result.
Exemple
- We all prayed for her quick recovery after the accident.
- They prayed for peace in the region every Sunday.
- He quietly prayed for guidance before making his decision.
pray for the best
1/pɹˈeɪ fɚ ðə bˈɛst/
fixed phrase
strongly hope for good outcome
To hope very much that things will end well, especially when you cannot control what will happen.
Exemple
- We’ve prepared as much as we can, so now we just have to pray for the best.
- Sometimes all you can do is pray for the best and see what happens.
- They sent the application and prayed for the best.
pray over
1/pɹˈeɪ ˈoʊvɚ/
phrasal verb
pray while near something
To say prayers while you are close to or touching someone or something, often asking for healing or blessing.
Exemple
- The family gathered to pray over their grandfather in the hospital.
- They prayed over the food before eating.
- Members of the church prayed over the new building during the opening ceremony.
pray tell
1/pɹˈeɪ tˈɛl/
idiom
informal
please tell me (explain)
A humorous or old-fashioned way to say “please tell me,” often when you are surprised or annoyed.
Exemple
- And how, pray tell, did you forget your own birthday?
- Where, pray tell, did you get that idea?
- What, pray tell, are you doing on the roof at midnight?
pray to
1/pɹˈeɪ tə/
phrasal verb
address a deity in prayer
To speak in prayer to a god, saint, or other holy figure.
Exemple
- Many sailors pray to Saint Nicholas for protection at sea.
- She prays to God every night before she sleeps.
- They prayed to their ancestors for wisdom and strength.
pray to God
1/pɹˈeɪ tə ɡˈɑd/
fixed phrase
pray specifically to God
To speak to God in prayer, often asking for help or saying thanks.
Exemple
- When he is afraid, he prays to God for comfort.
- They prayed to God for rain during the long drought.
- She teaches her children to pray to God before meals.