Chinese word

期望

Pronunciation

Pinyinqī wàng

Meaning

  • nounexpectation

Example

父母对他的期望很大。fù mǔ duì tā de qī wàng hěn dà

His parents have high expectations for him.

Illustration for 期望 (expectation)

More examples

过高的期望会带来压力。guò gāo de qī wàng huì dài lái yā lì

Excessively high expectations can create pressure.

Core concept

A future result is held in view as a valued outcome or level that someone wants to see.

Common phrases

  • 期望落空qī wàng luò kōng

    have one's expectations dashed

  • 实现期望shí xiàn qī wàng

    fulfill expectations

  • 怀有期望huái yǒu qī wàng

    harbor expectations

Similar words

期待qī dài: A hopeful feeling that a future event or result will happen.
要求yāo qiú: A clear demand that someone follow a rule, take an action, or meet a condition.
希望xī wàng: A wish or desire for something to happen or become real.

Definition in Chinese

对未来某一结果、表现或水平所持的期待。duì wèi lái mǒu yì jié guǒ biǎo xiàn huò shuǐ píng suǒ chí de qī dài

Word origin

期 (qī, "a set time") + 望 (wàng, "to look toward or hope") joins a future point with looking toward it, giving the word its sense of a desired result or level.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, the term can sound formal and weighty when parents, schools, or employers set a standard for someone else, while casual personal wishes often use a simpler expression.

Other meanings

  • hopenoun
  • expectverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 期望值qī wàng zhíexpected valuenoun

Word lists with this word