HSK · Level 98
45 words
Chinese word
指望
Pronunciation
Pinyinzhǐ wàng
Meaning
- verbexpect
Example
别指望他会准时来。bié zhǐ wàng tā huì zhǔn shí lái
Don't expect him to come on time.
More examples
他不应该再指望父母解决所有问题。tā bù yīng gāi zài zhǐ wàng fù mǔ jiě jué suó yǒu wèn tí
He shouldn't count on his parents to solve every problem anymore.
Core concept
Hope is directed toward a person or outside force and treated as the source of a wanted result.
Common phrases
别指望他bié zhǐ wàng tā
don't count on him
指望别人zhǐ wàng bié rén
count on others
指望自己zhǐ wàng zì jǐ
count on yourself
Similar words
希望xī wàng: Want something to happen or become true.
期待qī dài: Look forward to a future event or action while expecting it to follow a certain course.
期望qī wàng: Have hopes or demands for a future result and want it achieved.
Definition in Chinese
期待某人或某事能达到所希望的结果，常指把希望寄托于他人或外部条件。qī dài mǒu rén huò mǒu shì néng dá dào suǒ xī wàng de jié guǒ cháng zhǐ bǎ xī wàng jì tuō yú tā rén huò wài bù tiáo jiàn
Word origin
指 (zhǐ, "point") + 望 (wàng, "hope") forms a compound in which hope is directed toward a person or condition, giving the sense of placing trust in it for a desired result.
Usage tips
- In everyday speech, this verb often appears in a negative sentence and can show doubt or resignation rather than a calm prediction about the future.