Chinese word

希望

Pronunciation

Pinyinxī wàng

Meaning

  • verbhope

Example

我希望你能来。wǒ xī wàng nǐ néng lái

I hope you can come.

Illustration for 希望 (hope)

More examples

我们都希望他通过考试。wǒ men dōu xī wàng tā tōng guò kǎo shì

We all hope he passes the exam.

Core concept

A positive wish that looks ahead to a desired outcome, whether it concerns the speaker or another person.

Common phrases

  • 希望你会喜欢xī wàng nǐ huì xǐ huān

    hope you like it

  • 希望考试顺利xī wàng kǎo shì shùn lì

    hope the exam goes well

Similar words

想xiǎng: Have the desire to do something.
要yào: Want something directly.
想要xiǎng yào: Desire to have something.

Definition in Chinese

向他人或自己表达愿望或期待，常用于表示对某事的正面盼望。xiàng tā rén huò zì jǐ biǎo dá yuàn wàng huò qī dài cháng yòng yú biǎo shì duì mǒu shì de zhèng miàn pàn wàng

Word origin

希望 (xīwàng, "hope") combines 希 (xī, "to wish for") with 望 (wàng, "to look toward"), linking a desired outcome with a forward-looking gaze.

Usage tips

  • The subject of this verb is the person holding the wish, while a following person can be the one whose action is desired, which helps clarify roles in conversation.

Other meanings

  • expectverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 希望者xī wàng zhěapplicantnoun

Word lists with this word