What Does the 🥺 (Pleading Face) Emoji Mean?

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Learn what your friends mean when they send 🥺 (pleading face)

Co-authored by Janice Tieperman Reviewed by Candace Gasper

Last Updated: May 8, 2024 Fact Checked

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Meanings

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How to Use

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How to Respond

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Similar Emojis

Since 2018, the 🥺 (pleading face) emoji has become a versatile way to request sympathy, ask for a favor, and express sadness across text messages and social media.^{[1]
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Research source} In this article, we’ll give you a complete run-down of what this doe-eyed emoji represents, along with how to use and respond to it in your own digital space. We’ll even discuss what some similar-looking emojis mean, so you can have the full picture.

What is the pleading face emoji?

The 🥺 (pleading face) emoji is a yellow face with large, puppy-dog-like eyes and a small frown. It’s often used to earn sympathy from the recipient, and is sometimes used to request a favor, often with the 👉 (backhand index pointing right) and the 👈 (backhand index pointing left) emojis. It can also signify sadness.

Section 1 of 4:

🥺 (Pleading Face) Emoji Meanings

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The 🥺 (pleading face) emoji is used to earn extra sympathy points. The 🥺 (pleading face) emoji can be used as a substitute for the classic sad emojis to tug on a person’s heartstrings.
- “Please don’t be mad! 🥺💗”
- “I had the worst day today 🥺😭”
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The 🥺 (pleading face) emoji can be used to ask for something. It’s sometimes paired with the 👉 (backhand index pointing right) and the 👈 (backhand index pointing left) emojis.^{[2]
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- “Would you wanna visit this weekend? 🥺👉👈”
- The image of a person pointing their fingers together is a symbol of being bashful while requesting something. This gesture actually has its own emoji on TikTok!^{[3]
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The 🥺 (pleading face) emoji can be used to express sadness. The emotional look on the 🥺 (pleading face) emoji’s face makes it a popular choice for sad-themed content, like a TikTok discussing romantic struggles.
- “Nooo I’m so sorry to hear that 🥺”
- “I can’t believe it!! That’s so sad to hear 🥺🥺”

Section 2 of 4:

How to Use 🥺 (Pleading Face) Emoji

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Use the 🥺 (pleading face) emoji to earn some extra pity points. When sad faces just don’t seem to cut it, toss some 🥺 (pleading face) emojis into the mix.
- “My package got lost in the mail UGH 🥺🥺”
- “They gave me the 8 AM shift on Monday… 🥺🥺🥺”
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Send the 🥺 (pleading face) emoji when you’re asking a favor. Trying to ask your friend or partner for a favor? See if the 🥺 (pleading face) emoji can sway them.
- “Could you pick up some coffee for me on your way home? 🥺”
- “Babe, could you bring my phone charger over to my room? 🥺👉👈”
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Show how sad you’re feeling with the 🥺 (pleading face) emoji. While this emoji might not be the best choice for seriously upsetting topics, it’s still a great way to express mild sadness.
- “I can’t believe I have to wait 365 more days until Christmas 🥺”
- “I wish you were here with me 🥺💔”

Section 3 of 4:

How to Respond to 🥺 (Pleading Face) Emoji

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Reply to the 🥺 (pleading face) emoji in whatever way feels best to you. People use the 🥺 (pleading face) emoji in a lot of different ways, and there isn’t a right or wrong way respond. Here are a few examples for inspiration, depending on the context of the conversation:
- “I think I’m getting sick 🥺🥺”
  Response: “Oh no!! Want me to bring over some soup?”
- “Could you grab me some Red Bull when you go to the store? 🥺👉👈”
  Response: “I’m pretty sure your blood is already 99% caffeine at this point but ok”
- “I really wish we were back in LA 😭🥺”
  Response: “I know, right?! It was such a great trip 💖”

Section 4 of 4:

Similar Emojis

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The 🥹 (face holding back tears) emoji features a slightly smiling face with puppy-dog eyes that are filled with tears. Like the 🥺 (pleading face) emoji, it can be used to express gratefulness and adoration or negative emotions, like sadness.
The 😳 (flushed) emoji features a face with wide eyes, a small mouth, and blushing cheeks. It can be used to express embarrassment, as well as more positive emotions, like surprise, love, and excitement.