Chinese word

渴望

Pronunciation

Pinyinkě wàng

Meaning

  • verblong for

Example

我渴望自由。wǒ kě wàng zì yóu

I long for freedom.

Illustration for 渴望 (long for)

More examples

在陌生的城市，他渴望得到别人的理解。zài mò shēng de chéng shì tā kě wàng dé dào bié rén de lí jiě

In an unfamiliar city, he longs to be understood by others.

Core concept

An inner need feels so intense that the desired goal seems necessary for fulfillment.

Common phrases

  • 渴望得到认可kě wàng dé dào rèn kě

    long to be recognized

  • 渴望被理解kě wàng bèi lí jiě

    long to be understood

Similar words

希望xī wàng: Wish for a desired result or state to become real.
期望qī wàng: Expect a particular result to happen in the future.
期待qī dài: Look forward to a future event or someone's action, trusting in a good result.
想xiǎng: Want to do something or have something.

Definition in Chinese

对某种事物或结果抱有非常强烈的愿望，感情上难以满足，常用于书面或强调语气的口语中。duì móu zhǒng shì wù huò jié guǒ bào yǒu fēi cháng qiáng liè de yuàn wàng gǎn qíng shàng nán yǐ mǎn zú cháng yòng yú shū miàn huò qiáng diào yǔ qì de kóu yǔ zhōng

Word origin

渴 (kě, "thirst") + 望 (wàng, "hope or look toward") combines the discomfort of thirst with the act of looking toward something hoped for, giving the word its forceful sense.

Usage tips

  • Its strong tone suits deep wishes or important goals better than routine wants in everyday conversation.

Other meanings

  • craveverb
  • yearn forverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 渴望感kě wàng gǎnlongingnoun

Word lists with this word