Chinese word

未来

Pronunciation

Pinyinwèi lái

Meaning

  • nounfuture

Example

我对未来充满期待。wǒ duì wèi lái chōng mǎn qī dài

I am full of hope for the future.

Illustration for 未来 (future)

More examples

很多年轻人为未来努力工作。hěn duō nián qīng rén wéi wèi lái nǔ lì gōng zuò

Many young people work hard for the future.

Core concept

The unfolding direction of time after now, including what life or society may become.

Common phrases

  • 对未来充满期待duì wèi lái chōng mǎn qī dài

    look forward to the future

  • 走向未来zǒu xiàng wèi lái

    head toward the future

  • 规划未来guī huà wèi lái

    plan for the future

Similar words

将来jiāng lái: The later part of a person's life and its likely direction, plans, or prospects.
以后yǐ hòu: A later time or period after something has happened or after a particular time.

Definition in Chinese

从现在起还未到来的时间或事物，既可指个人的将来，也可指社会或世界的前途与发展。cóng xiàn zài qǐ hái wèi dào lái de shí jiān huò shì wù jì kě zhǐ gè rén de jiāng lái yě kě zhǐ shè huì huò shì jiè de qián tú yǔ fā zhǎn

Word origin

未 (wèi, "not yet") + 来 (lái, "come") form 未来 (wèilái, "future"), naming what has not yet arrived and the course it may take.

Usage tips

  • For a specific appointment or near-term event, naming the time or event is usually more natural than using this broad noun alone, which keeps ordinary conversation concrete.

Other meanings

  • prospectsnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word