Chinese word

如意

Pronunciation

Pinyinrú yì

Meaning

  • adjectiveas desired

Example

事情并没有那么如意。shì qíng bìng méi yǒu nà me rú yì

Things did not go as desired.

Illustration for 如意 (as desired)

More examples

这次的结果让他感到称心如意。zhè cì de jié guǒ ràng tā gǎn dào chèn xīn rú yì

This result made him feel satisfied.

Core concept

A situation or result that turns out in line with someone's hopes.

Common phrases

  • 称心如意chèn xīn rú yì

    satisfying

  • 随心如意suí xīn rú yì

    as desired

Similar words

如愿rú yuàn: Ending with the fulfillment of what someone hoped for.
满意mǎn yì: Being good enough to meet expectations and give a feeling of satisfaction.
顺利shùn lì: Progressing smoothly as planned, without trouble.

Definition in Chinese

表示事物发展或结果符合个人期望，达到预想的效果。biǎo shì shì wù fā zhǎn huò jié guǒ fú hé gè rén qī wàng dá dào yù xiǎng de xiào guǒ

Word origin

如意 (rúyì, "as desired") is formed from 如 (rú, "according to") + 意 (yì, "intention"), so its literal picture is an outcome following someone's wishes.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, it usually judges how a situation or result turns out, not the quality of a physical object, so English speakers should not use it as a broad equivalent of "good".

Opposites

  • 不如意bù rú yìnot satisfactoryadjective
  • 不顺bú shùnnot smoothadjective

Related words

  • 称心如意chèn xīn rú yìto one's satisfactionidiom
  • 随心如意suí xīn rú yìaccording to one's wishesidiom

Word lists with this word