The traditional form 請 is a phono-semantic character. 言 on the left points to speech or words, while 青 on the right mainly supplied the ancient sound. The character has long been used for asking, requesting and inviting. Simplified 请 keeps the same two-part idea with 讠 as the shortened form of 言. This seal-form-inspired sketch places spoken words beside the tall 青 sound component.
A piece of culture
A small word that opens the door 请 / 請 can make a request polite, but it also means “to invite” or “to treat someone”. 请坐 / 請坐 means “Please sit”, a useful welcome for a guest. In Cantonese, 請 is read cing2 in this polite phrase; you may also hear ceng2 when it means inviting someone or paying for their meal. One character can welcome a visitor, offer a seat or extend an invitation.