Chinese word

愿望

Pronunciation

Pinyinyuàn wàng

Meaning

  • nounwish

Example

她的愿望很简单，就是健康和幸福。tā de yuàn wàng hěn jiǎn dān jiù shì jiàn kāng hé xìng fú

Her wish is very simple: health and happiness.

Illustration for 愿望 (wish)

More examples

他终于实现了多年的愿望。tā zhōng yú shí xiàn le duō nián de yuàn wàng

He finally fulfilled his long-held wish.

Core concept

A future result held in the mind as something worth hoping for.

Common phrases

  • 实现愿望shí xiàn yuàn wàng

    fulfill a wish

  • 满足愿望mǎn zú yuàn wàng

    satisfy a wish

  • 许下愿望xǔ xià yuàn wàng

    make a wish

Similar words

希望xī wàng: An expectation that a future event or result will turn out in a desired way.
梦想mèng xiǎng: A big future dream or cherished aspiration held for a long time.
目标mù biāo: A specific result or purpose set to guide efforts toward achievement.

Definition in Chinese

表示个人对未来某种状态或结果的期待和愿求，既可以是短期愿望，也可指长期目标。biǎo shì gè rén duì wèi lái móu zhǒng zhuàng tài huò jié guǒ de qī dài hé yuàn qiú jì ké yǐ shì duǎn qī yuàn wàng yě kě zhǐ cháng qī mù biāo

Word origin

愿望 (yuànwàng, "wish") combines 愿 (yuàn, "to wish") with 望 (wàng, "to look toward or hope"), linking an inner want with a future outcome.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may associate "wish" with an impossible or magical request, but this Chinese noun also covers a practical life aim such as health or happiness.

Other meanings

  • desirenoun
  • hopenoun

Word lists with this word