At the A1 level, you should learn '愿望' (yuànwàng) as a simple noun meaning 'wish.' You will mostly use it in the structure 'My wish is...' (我的愿望是...). It is a useful word for talking about birthdays or simple dreams. For example, 'My wish is to go to China' (我的愿望是去中国). At this stage, just remember that it is a thing you have, not an action you do. You don't 'yuànwàng' someone; you 'have' a 'yuànwàng.' It is often introduced alongside vocabulary for family, hobbies, and basic future plans. You might see it in simple reading passages about children talking about what they want to be when they grow up. The characters are a bit complex to write, but the pronunciation 'yuan wang' is relatively straightforward for English speakers to mimic. Focus on the fourth tone (yuàn) followed by the fourth tone (wàng).
At the A2 level, you can begin to use '愿望' (yuànwàng) in more varied contexts. You might talk about 'birthday wishes' (生日愿望) or 'realizing a wish' (实现愿望). You should understand that it is a noun and contrast it with the verb '希望' (xīwàng - to hope). For instance, 'I hope my wish comes true' would be '我希望我的愿望能实现.' You can also start adding simple adjectives to it, like 'a small wish' (一个小小的愿望) or 'a beautiful wish' (一个美好的愿望). This level involves using the word in short paragraphs about your life goals or holiday traditions. You might also encounter it in simple stories where a character makes a wish on a star or blows out candles. It's a key word for expressing personal desires in a slightly more formal way than just saying 'I want' (我想/我要).
At the B1 level, '愿望' (yuànwàng) moves into more abstract and social discussions. You might talk about the 'common wishes of the people' (人民的共同愿望) or 'fulfilling one's parents' wishes' (达成父母的愿望). You should be comfortable using it with a wider range of verbs like '表达' (to express), '满足' (to satisfy), and '放弃' (to give up). You will also start to see it in more complex sentence structures, such as 'Despite many difficulties, he never gave up his wish' (尽管有很多困难,他从未放弃他的愿望). At this level, you should also be able to distinguish '愿望' from similar words like '心愿' (heart's desire) and '理想' (ideal/ambition), choosing the right one based on the emotional context. Your ability to use '愿望' in a narrative about overcoming obstacles to achieve a dream is a hallmark of reaching this intermediate stage.
At the B2 level, you should use '愿望' (yuànwàng) with more sophisticated collocations and in more formal registers. You might discuss political aspirations, social movements, or complex psychological motivations. Phrases like '强烈的愿望' (a strong desire) or '迫切的愿望' (an urgent wish) become part of your active vocabulary. You will encounter the word in news reports, editorial pieces, and more advanced literature. You should be able to discuss the nuance between having a '愿望' and having the '意愿' (legal/formal will) to do something. For example, you might analyze a character's internal conflict between their personal '愿望' and their social '责任' (responsibility). At this stage, your usage should be grammatically perfect, and you should be able to use the word to add emotional depth or formal weight to your arguments in both writing and speaking.
At the C1 level, '愿望' (yuànwàng) is used with a high degree of precision and stylistic flair. You will explore its use in classical-leaning modern prose and high-level academic or diplomatic discourse. You might encounter related but more obscure terms like '夙愿' (a long-cherished wish) or '宏愿' (a great aspiration/vow) and understand how they differ from the standard '愿望.' You can use the word in complex metaphors or to discuss philosophical concepts like the nature of human desire. In writing, you might use it to create specific rhetorical effects, perhaps by contrasting the 'fleeting wishes' of the individual with the 'enduring wishes' of a nation. Your understanding of the word's etymology—the sincere '愿' and the gazing '望'—should inform your appreciation of its use in poetry and high literature. You are expected to handle the word in any context, from a casual chat to a formal lecture, with native-like sensitivity to tone.
At the C2 level, your mastery of '愿望' (yuànwàng) is complete. You understand the deepest cultural and historical resonances of the word. You can effortlessly switch between '愿望' and its many synonyms (心愿, 志向, 意愿, 夙愿, 抱负) to convey exact shades of meaning and register. You might analyze how the concept of '愿望' has evolved in Chinese literature from the classical period to the modern era. You can use it in highly sophisticated ways, such as in the translation of complex philosophical texts or in high-stakes diplomatic negotiations where every word carries weight. You are also aware of how the word might be used ironically or subversively in contemporary art and social commentary. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a flexible tool for nuanced expression, allowing you to articulate the most subtle and complex aspects of human aspiration and the pursuit of meaning.

愿望 in 30 Sekunden

  • 愿望 (yuànwàng) is a common Chinese noun meaning 'wish' or 'desire,' often used for birthdays and long-term life goals.
  • It is strictly a noun; you cannot use it as a verb like 'I wish.' Use '希望' (xīwàng) instead for actions.
  • Commonly paired with the verb '实现' (shíxiàn) to mean 'realizing a wish' or 'making a dream come true.'
  • It carries a sincere and sometimes formal tone, making it suitable for both daily life and serious speeches.

The Chinese term 愿望 (yuànwàng) is a cornerstone noun in the Mandarin language, primarily translated as 'wish,' 'desire,' or 'aspiration.' Unlike simple verbs for wanting, yuànwàng carries a sense of weight, often referring to a long-held dream or a significant personal goal that one hopes to see fulfilled. It is composed of two characters: 愿 (yuàn), which means 'honest,' 'sincere,' or 'to wish,' and 望 (wàng), which means 'to gaze,' 'to look towards,' or 'to hope.' Together, they create a concept of looking forward with sincere intent toward a specific outcome. This word is most frequently used as a noun, which distinguishes it from 希望 (xīwàng), which can function as both a noun and a verb. When you talk about your 'birthday wish' or your 'deepest desire in life,' you are talking about your yuànwàng.

The Core Essence
It represents the internal blueprint of what a person wants their future to look like. It is not just a fleeting thought but a structured ambition.
Grammatical Role
Primarily functions as a noun. It is often the object of verbs like 实现 (shíxiàn - to realize) or 达成 (dáchéng - to achieve).
Emotional Weight
Carries a formal and sincere tone, making it suitable for speeches, literature, and heartfelt personal conversations.

“我最大的愿望是全家人都健康平安。” (My greatest wish is for my whole family to be healthy and safe.)

— A common expression of familial devotion using yuànwàng.

In daily life, you will encounter this word during celebrations like birthdays or New Year's Eve. When someone says 'Make a wish' before blowing out candles, the Chinese equivalent is 许个愿 (xǔ gè yuàn), where yuàn is the shortened form of yuànwàng. However, the full word yuànwàng is used when describing the content of that wish. It is also a very common word in educational settings where students are asked to write essays about their future aspirations. The word bridges the gap between the mundane (a wish for a toy) and the profound (a wish for world peace), though it leans slightly towards the more significant milestones of human experience.

Culturally, the concept of yuànwàng is tied to the Chinese value of persistence. Achieving one's yuànwàng is often seen as a mark of success and character. In modern Chinese pop culture, songs and movies frequently use this word to evoke nostalgia or inspiration, focusing on the gap between one's current reality and their idealized yuànwàng. Understanding this word requires recognizing its noun-heavy nature; you don't 'yuànwàng' to go home, you have a 'yuànwàng' to go home.

实现愿望需要努力。

Realizing a wish requires hard work.

Mastering the usage of 愿望 (yuànwàng) involves understanding its typical sentence structures. Since it is a noun, it usually occupies the subject or object position in a sentence. One of the most common patterns is [Possessive] + 愿望 + 是 + [Description]. For example, 'My wish is to become a doctor' would be 我的愿望是当一名医生. This structure is very standard and appears in almost every introductory Chinese course. Another vital pattern involves the verb 实现 (shíxiàn), meaning 'to realize' or 'to fulfill.' When a wish comes true, we say 愿望实现了.

Common Verb Pairings
Words like 表达 (biǎodá - to express), 达成 (dáchéng - to reach), and 满足 (mǎnzú - to satisfy) are frequently used with yuànwàng.
Adjective Modifiers
Common adjectives include 美好的 (měihǎo de - beautiful), 共同的 (gòngtóng de - common/shared), and 小小的 (xiǎoxiǎo de - small/humble).

这不仅仅是我一个人的愿望,也是大家的共同愿望

This is not just my personal wish, but everyone's shared wish.

When talking about childhood dreams, you might say 童年的愿望 (tóngnián de yuànwàng). If you are describing a wish that hasn't been fulfilled for a long time, you might call it a 夙愿 (sùyuàn), though 愿望 remains the more versatile everyday term. It's also important to note how yuànwàng interacts with measure words. The most common measure word used is 个 (gè), but for more formal or poetic contexts, you might see 一个又一个 (one after another) to describe a series of desires.

In negative contexts, you might say 落空了 (luòkōng le), meaning a wish fell through or failed to materialize. For example: 他的愿望落空了 (His wish fell through). This provides a clear emotional arc from having a wish to seeing it succeed or fail. The word is incredibly stable across different dialects of Mandarin, maintaining its core meaning and formal weight regardless of regional variations.

The word 愿望 (yuànwàng) is ubiquitous in Chinese media, literature, and social rituals. One of the most common places you will hear it is in the song 'Happy Birthday' or during birthday parties. When the cake is brought out, friends will shout 许个愿吧! (Xǔ gè yuàn ba!)—'Make a wish!' While they use the single character in the verb phrase, the subsequent conversation will inevitably use 愿望 to ask what the person wished for (though traditionally, you shouldn't tell!).

In Cinema and TV
Many romantic dramas revolve around the 'unfulfilled wishes' of the protagonists. Phrases like '达成你的愿望' (fulfilling your wish) are standard dialogue tropes.
In News and Politics
News anchors often use the term when discussing the 'common aspirations of the people' (人民的共同愿望), giving the word a dignified, collective weight.

“和平是全世界人民的共同愿望。” (Peace is the common wish of people all over the world.)

— A formal, high-register use of the word.

You will also find this word in the titles of various creative works. For instance, the famous movie 'The Bucket List' is often translated or referred to in Chinese contexts with the concept of a 愿望清单 (yuànwàng qīngdān). On social media platforms like Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu) or Weibo, users often post about their 'New Year wishes' or 'travel wishes,' using the hashtag #愿望# to categorize their aspirations. It is a word that spans the gap between the extremely personal and the broadly political.

In school environments, teachers frequently use this word to encourage students. A teacher might ask, 你长大后的愿望是什么? (What is your wish for when you grow up?). This usage cements the word in the minds of native speakers from a very young age as a term for planning and dreaming. Whether it's a child wanting a superpower or a retiree wanting to see their grandchildren graduate, yuànwàng is the vessel for those thoughts.

For English speakers, the most frequent mistake when using 愿望 (yuànwàng) is treating it like a verb. In English, 'wish' is both a noun ('I have a wish') and a verb ('I wish you were here'). In Chinese, 愿望 is almost strictly a noun. If you try to say 我愿望你快乐, it sounds grammatically broken to a native ear. Instead, you should use 希望 (xīwàng) or 祝 (zhù) for the verb form. This is the 'Number One' error for beginners.

Confusing with '希望' (Hope)
While 'hope' (希望) is about probability, 'wish' (愿望) is about the desire itself. You 'hope' something happens, but you 'have' a wish.
Incorrect Measure Words
Using specialized measure words incorrectly. Stick to 个 (gè) if you are unsure; it is always safe for yuànwàng.

我愿望去北京。 (Incorrect)
我的愿望是去北京。 (Correct)

— The most common grammatical pitfall for English speakers.

Another mistake is using 愿望 for very small, immediate requests. For example, if you want someone to pass the salt, you wouldn't call that a 愿望. That would be a 要求 (yāoqiú - request) or just a 'want.' 愿望 implies a level of sincerity and duration. Using it for trivial things can make you sound overly dramatic or poetic in a way that feels out of place in casual conversation. It's like saying 'My soul's deepest aspiration is for a potato chip'—it's grammatically fine but socially weird.

Finally, learners sometimes confuse 愿望 with 理想 (lǐxiǎng - ideal/ambition). While they are similar, 理想 is more about a career goal or a social ideal, whereas 愿望 is more personal and can be more fantastical. You can have a 愿望 to fly, but a 理想 to be a pilot. Misusing these won't necessarily make you misunderstood, but using the right one shows a higher level of fluency and cultural understanding.

To truly understand 愿望 (yuànwàng), we must look at its neighbors in the Chinese semantic space. The most frequent comparison is with 希望 (xīwàng). While both involve wanting something in the future, 希望 is more grounded and functions as a verb. If you say 'I hope to see you,' you use 希望. If you say 'My wish is world peace,' you use 愿望. Think of 愿望 as the 'noun form' of a deep hope.

心愿 (xīnyuàn)
This is very close to yuànwàng but emphasizes the 'heart' (心). It is often used for personal, sentimental wishes, like a dying person's last wish (遗愿).
理想 (lǐxiǎng)
Means 'ideal' or 'ambition.' It is more rational and goal-oriented. One's 理想 is usually something one works towards, like a career.
渴望 (kěwàng)
Translates to 'longing' or 'thirsting for.' It is much more intense and emotional than yuànwàng.

比较:
1. 我的愿望是去旅行。(Wish - Noun)
2. 我希望去旅行。(Hope - Verb)

Another interesting alternative is 夙愿 (sùyuàn). This is a literary term for a long-cherished wish. You might hear this in historical dramas or read it in formal biographies. It implies the wish has been held for many years, perhaps even a lifetime. On the other end of the spectrum is 志向 (zhìxiàng), which refers to one's 'will' or 'aspiration,' often related to one's professional or moral path. While 愿望 can be about getting a new bike, 志向 is about the kind of person you want to become.

Finally, consider 意愿 (yìyuàn). This is a more formal term often used in legal or official contexts to mean 'will' or 'intent.' For example, 'the will of the people' or 'the patient's intent.' It lacks the emotional, 'dreamy' quality of 愿望 and is more about choice and volition. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the exact shade of 'wanting' that fits your specific situation, elevating your Chinese from functional to nuanced.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The character '望' is one of the few that connects the act of seeing with the act of hoping, which is a common metaphor across many world languages, but visually literal in Chinese.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /juæn wæŋ/
US /jwɑn wɑŋ/
Both syllables carry equal weight as they are both fourth tones (falling).
Reimt sich auf
希望 (xīwàng) 展望 (zhǎnwàng) 绝望 (juéwàng) 看望 (kànwàng) 渴望 (kěwàng) 指望 (zhǐwàng) 仰望 (yǎngwàng) 凝望 (níngwàng)
Häufige Fehler
  • Pronouncing 'yuan' like 'you-anne' (it should be more like 'yü-an').
  • Using the wrong tones (e.g., first tone instead of fourth tone).
  • Forgetting the 'g' at the end of 'wang'.
  • Mixing up the 'u' sound in 'yuan' with a standard English 'u'.
  • Not giving the falling tone enough emphasis on both syllables.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

The characters are moderately complex but very common in texts.

Schreiben 4/5

Both characters have many strokes, requiring significant practice to master.

Sprechen 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward, though the double fourth tone requires clarity.

Hören 2/5

Easily recognizable in context, especially during celebrations.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

想 (xiǎng) 要 (yào) 心 (xīn) 看 (kàn) 好 (hǎo)

Als Nächstes lernen

希望 (xīwàng) 实现 (shíxiàn) 达成 (dáchéng) 理想 (lǐxiǎng) 努力 (nǔlì)

Fortgeschritten

夙愿 (sùyuàn) 意愿 (yìyuàn) 抱负 (bàofù) 渴望 (kěwàng) 志愿 (zhìyuàn)

Wichtige Grammatik

Nouns as Subjects

愿望很重要。 (The wish is important.)

Possessive '的'

我的愿望 (My wish)

Verb + Object

实现愿望 (Realize a wish)

Adjective + '的' + Noun

美好的愿望 (Beautiful wish)

Measure Word '个'

一个愿望 (One wish)

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

我的愿望是去北京。

My wish is to go to Beijing.

Subject + 是 + [Wish Content]

2

他有一个小愿望。

He has a small wish.

Using '个' as the measure word.

3

你的愿望是什么?

What is your wish?

Simple question structure with '什么'.

4

我没有很多愿望。

I don't have many wishes.

Negative form using '没有'.

5

这是一个好愿望。

This is a good wish.

Adjective '好' modifying '愿望'.

6

她的愿望是当老师。

Her wish is to be a teacher.

Noun '愿望' as the subject.

7

生日愿望很重要。

Birthday wishes are very important.

Compound noun '生日愿望'.

8

这个愿望很简单。

This wish is very simple.

Adjective '简单' describing the wish.

1

我希望我的愿望能实现。

I hope my wish can come true.

Distinction between '希望' (verb) and '愿望' (noun).

2

他终于实现了他的愿望。

He finally realized his wish.

Verb '实现' (to realize) paired with '愿望'.

3

你许了什么愿望?

What wish did you make?

Using '许愿' as the verb for making a wish.

4

去旅行是我的新年愿望。

Going traveling is my New Year's wish.

Complex subject '去旅行' (going traveling).

5

我们要尊重孩子的愿望。

We should respect children's wishes.

Verb '尊重' (to respect) + object '愿望'.

6

这个愿望对他来说很重要。

This wish is very important to him.

Structure '对...来说' (to/for someone).

7

她把愿望写在了纸上。

She wrote her wish on a piece of paper.

Using the '把' construction.

8

我有一个美丽的愿望。

I have a beautiful wish.

Adjective '美丽' (beautiful) modifying the noun.

1

每个人都有表达愿望的权利。

Everyone has the right to express their wishes.

Noun phrase '表达愿望的权利' (right to express wishes).

2

为了达成愿望,他付出了很多努力。

In order to achieve his wish, he put in a lot of effort.

Conjunction '为了' (in order to) and verb '达成' (to achieve).

3

父母的愿望是看到孩子幸福。

The parents' wish is to see their children happy.

Possessive '父母的' modifying '愿望'.

4

这个计划满足了大多数人的愿望。

This plan satisfied the wishes of most people.

Verb '满足' (to satisfy) + object '愿望'.

5

他从未放弃过自己的愿望。

He has never given up on his wish.

Verb '放弃' (to give up) with aspect marker '过'.

6

她的愿望终于在今年落空了。

Her wish finally fell through this year.

Verb phrase '落空了' (to fall through/fail).

7

这只是一个不切实际的愿望。

This is just an unrealistic wish.

Compound adjective '不切实际' (unrealistic).

8

我们应该为实现共同愿望而努力。

We should work hard to realize our common wish.

Structure '为...而努力' (work hard for...).

1

和平是全世界人民的共同愿望。

Peace is the common aspiration of people all over the world.

Formal register using '共同愿望' (common aspiration).

2

他内心深处隐藏着一个强烈的愿望。

Deep in his heart, he hid a strong desire.

Prepositional phrase '内心深处' (deep in the heart).

3

这种改革符合广大农民的愿望。

This kind of reform tallies with the wishes of the vast number of farmers.

Verb '符合' (to accord with/tally with).

4

他通过不懈的奋斗达成了夙愿。

He achieved his long-cherished wish through unremitting struggle.

Using '夙愿' (long-cherished wish) for higher register.

5

我们不能违背当事人的意愿和愿望。

We cannot go against the person's will and wishes.

Pairing '意愿' (formal will) and '愿望' (desire).

6

这个愿望一直激励着他前进。

This wish has always motivated him to move forward.

Verb '激励' (to motivate/inspire).

7

由于各种原因,他的愿望没能实现。

Due to various reasons, his wish could not be realized.

Phrase '由于各种原因' (due to various reasons).

8

他表达了改善两国关系的迫切愿望。

He expressed an urgent desire to improve relations between the two countries.

Adjective '迫切' (urgent) modifying '愿望'.

1

这篇小说深刻地揭示了人类最原始的愿望。

This novel profoundly reveals the most primitive desires of humanity.

Adverb '深刻地' (profoundly) and adjective '最原始的' (most primitive).

2

他毕生的愿望就是能看到祖国的统一。

His lifelong wish was to see the reunification of his motherland.

Adjective '毕生的' (lifelong) modifying '愿望'.

3

虽然愿望是美好的,但现实往往是残酷的。

Although the wish is beautiful, reality is often cruel.

Contrastive structure '虽然...但...'.

4

他在遗嘱中交代了自己的最后愿望。

He detailed his final wishes in his will.

Noun '遗嘱' (will/testament) and '最后愿望' (final wish).

5

这种艺术形式寄托了人们对美好生活的愿望。

This art form embodies people's wishes for a better life.

Verb '寄托' (to place/embody) + '愿望'.

6

他那虚无缥缈的愿望最终化为了泡影。

His ethereal and illusory wish finally turned into bubbles (vanished).

Idiomatic adjective '虚无缥缈' and phrase '化为泡影'.

7

政府应倾听民众的愿望并采取行动。

The government should listen to the wishes of the people and take action.

Verb '倾听' (to listen attentively).

8

这一发现符合科学家们多年来的共同愿望。

This discovery accords with the common wish of scientists for many years.

Time phrase '多年来' (for many years).

1

愿望的实现往往伴随着某种程度的幻灭感。

The realization of a wish is often accompanied by a certain degree of disillusionment.

Abstract philosophical subject and complex verb '伴随着' (to be accompanied by).

2

他在作品中探讨了愿望与现实之间永恒的张力。

In his works, he explores the eternal tension between desire and reality.

Academic term '张力' (tension) used in literary analysis.

3

人类的愿望是文明进步的内在动力。

Human desire is the internal driving force of the progress of civilization.

Formal definition-style sentence structure.

4

他以一种近乎偏执的狂热追求着自己的愿望。

He pursued his wish with a fervor that bordered on paranoia.

Complex adverbial phrase '以一种近乎偏执的狂热'.

5

这些愿望在历史的洪流中显得如此渺小。

These wishes seem so insignificant in the torrent of history.

Metaphorical use of '历史的洪流' (torrent of history).

6

他将所有的情感都投射到了这个小小的愿望上。

He projected all his emotions onto this tiny wish.

Psychological verb '投射' (to project).

7

愿望不仅是对未来的期许,更是对当下的反抗。

A wish is not only an expectation for the future but also a rebellion against the present.

Structure '不仅是...更是...' (not only... but even more...).

8

这种集体愿望的迸发改变了国家的命运。

The outburst of this collective wish changed the destiny of the nation.

Noun '迸发' (outburst/eruption) used metaphorically.

Häufige Kollokationen

实现愿望
共同愿望
美好的愿望
达成愿望
表达愿望
强烈的愿望
生日愿望
满足愿望
小小愿望
放弃愿望

Häufige Phrasen

许个愿

— To make a wish. Common at birthdays or when seeing a shooting star.

吹蜡烛前先许个愿吧。

愿望清单

— Bucket list. A list of things one wants to do or achieve.

这是我的旅行愿望清单。

如愿以偿

— To have one's wish fulfilled. A very common four-character idiom.

他终于如愿以偿,考上了名牌大学。

违背愿望

— To go against one's wishes. Used in formal or serious contexts.

这样做违背了他的愿望。

迫切愿望

— Urgent desire. Used for strong, immediate needs.

人民有改善生活的迫切愿望。

童年愿望

— Childhood wish. Often used when reminiscing about the past.

当飞行员是我童年的愿望。

最后愿望

— Last wish. Often used in the context of a will or final moments.

这是他留给家人的最后愿望。

共同愿望

— Shared wish. Used for groups or nations.

维护和平是各国人民的共同愿望。

小小愿望

— Small/humble wish. Used to show modesty.

我只有一个小小的愿望,就是全家平安。

实现愿望

— To realize a wish. The standard way to talk about a wish coming true.

通过努力,他实现了自己的愿望。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

愿望 vs 希望 (xīwàng)

English speakers often use 愿望 as a verb because 'wish' is a verb in English. Remember 愿望 is a noun; 希望 can be both.

愿望 vs 理想 (lǐxiǎng)

理想 is more about career or social 'ideals,' while 愿望 can be any kind of personal 'wish.'

愿望 vs 心愿 (xīnyuàn)

心愿 is more emotional and personal. You use it for things that are very close to your heart.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"如愿以偿"

— To have one's wish fulfilled; to get what one wanted.

经过多年的努力,他终于如愿以偿地拿到了金牌。

Neutral/Formal
"天随人愿"

— Heaven follows human wishes; things turn out as one hoped.

真是天随人愿,就在我们需要钱的时候,他中奖了。

Literary/Slightly Formal
"心愿已了"

— One's heart's desire is fulfilled; usually used for long-term goals.

看到儿子成家立业,老人的心愿已了。

Formal/Sentimental
"事与愿违"

— Things turn out contrary to one's wishes; to go wrong.

虽然他很努力,但结果总是事与愿违。

Neutral/Formal
"称心如意"

— After one's own heart; very satisfactory.

他找到了一份称心如意的工作。

Neutral
"大失所望"

— To be greatly disappointed (opposite of having a wish met).

这场电影让他大失所望。

Neutral
"求之不得"

— Seek but fail to get; something so good one wouldn't even dare to wish for it.

你能来帮忙,我真是求之不得。

Neutral/Informal
"望穿秋水"

— To look forward to something with great longing (lit. gazing until the autumn waters are pierced).

她望穿秋水,终于等到了丈夫的来信。

Literary
"志同道合"

— To share the same ambitions and path; like-minded.

他们是一群志同道合的朋友。

Neutral
"雄心壮志"

— Great ambitions and lofty ideals.

年轻人应该有雄心壮志。

Formal

Leicht verwechselbar

愿望 vs 希望 (xīwàng)

Both translate to 'wish' or 'hope' in English.

希望 is primarily a verb ('I hope'), while 愿望 is a noun ('My wish'). You can have a 愿望, but you usually 希望 something happens.

我希望你能实现你的愿望。

愿望 vs 理想 (lǐxiǎng)

Both refer to future goals.

理想 is more about a structured ambition or a perfect state (e.g., career), while 愿望 can be more whimsical or simple.

当科学家是他的理想,去月球是他的愿望。

愿望 vs 心愿 (xīnyuàn)

They are nearly synonyms.

心愿 is more sentimental and intimate. It is often used for family or life-long personal desires.

老人的心愿是看到孙子结婚。

愿望 vs 意愿 (yìyuàn)

Both involve what someone wants.

意愿 is formal and often relates to legal or official 'will' or 'intent.' 愿望 is more about dreams and feelings.

我们要尊重他的个人意愿。

愿望 vs 志向 (zhìxiàng)

Both involve future aspirations.

志向 is specifically about one's 'will' or 'ambition' in terms of character and achievement.

他从小就有远大的志向。

Satzmuster

A1

我的愿望是 + [Noun/Verb Phrase]

我的愿望是当医生。

A2

[Person] + 实现了 + [Possessive] + 愿望

他实现了他的愿望。

B1

为了实现愿望,[Person] + [Action]

为了实现愿望,他每天都努力学习。

B1

[Possessive] + 愿望 + 落空了

他的愿望落空了。

B2

[Abstract Concept] + 是 + [Group] + 的共同愿望

和平是全人类的共同愿望。

B2

[Action] + 符合 + [Possessive] + 愿望

这个决定符合大家的愿望。

C1

[Person] + 怀着 + [Adjective] + 的愿望 + [Action]

他怀着美好的愿望开始了新生活。

C2

[Possessive] + 愿望 + 寄托在 + [Something] + 上

他把所有的愿望都寄托在孩子身上。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

愿望 (yuànwàng) - wish
心愿 (xīnyuàn) - heart's desire
志愿 (zhìyuàn) - aspiration/volunteer
夙愿 (sùyuàn) - long-cherished wish

Verben

愿 (yuàn) - to wish/be willing
许愿 (xǔyuàn) - to make a wish
还愿 (huányuàn) - to fulfill a vow

Adjektive

自愿 (zìyuàn) - voluntary
心甘情愿 (xīngān qíngyuàn) - be most willing to

Verwandt

希望 (xīwàng)
理想 (lǐxiǎng)
抱负 (bàofù)
意愿 (yìyuàn)
志向 (zhìyuàng)

So verwendest du es

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written Chinese.

Häufige Fehler
  • 我愿望你快乐。 我希望你快乐。/ 我祝你快乐。

    You cannot use '愿望' as a verb. Use '希望' or '祝'.

  • 他有一个大愿望。 他有一个伟大的愿望。/ 他有一个很大的愿望。

    While '大愿望' is understandable, adding '很' or using '伟大' is more natural.

  • 我的愿望做完了。 我的愿望实现了。

    Wishes aren't 'finished' (做完), they are 'realized' (实现).

  • 这个愿望是不对的。 这个愿望是不切实际的。

    If a wish is impossible, use '不切实际' (unrealistic) rather than '不对' (wrong).

  • 我许了一个希望。 我许了一个愿望。

    The verb '许' (to make/promise) only pairs with '愿望', not '希望'.

Tipps

Noun Only

Always treat 愿望 as a noun. If you need a verb, use 希望 (xīwàng).

Adjective Pairing

Pair it with 美好 (měihǎo) for a 'beautiful wish' or 共同 (gòngtóng) for a 'shared wish.'

Birthday Wishes

In China, it's common to make three wishes on your birthday, but only the last one can be told out loud!

Tone Accuracy

Both characters are 4th tone (falling). Make sure you don't say them too softly.

Stroke Order

Pay attention to the 'heart' (心) at the bottom of 愿. It shows the wish comes from within.

Key Verbs

Listen for the verb 实现 (shíxiàn) which almost always accompanies 愿望.

Scale

Use 愿望 for things that matter. For a sandwich, just use '想吃' (xiǎng chī).

Yuan-Wang

Think: 'You-Want' (Yuan) and you are 'Waiting' (Wang) for it.

如愿以偿

Learn this idiom early; it's the most common way to say a wish was fulfilled.

Political Context

Notice how news anchors use it to talk about the 'will of the people.'

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Yuan' as 'You want' and 'Wang' as 'Watching' the stars. You want something and you are watching for it to happen.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a person blowing out candles on a birthday cake. The 'heart' radical in '愿' reminds you it's a sincere wish from the heart.

Word Web

心 (Heart) 实现 (Realize) 生日 (Birthday) 梦想 (Dream) 未来 (Future) 希望 (Hope) 达成 (Achieve) 许愿 (Make a wish)

Herausforderung

Write down three '愿望' you have for the next year using the '我的愿望是...' structure and share them with a friend.

Wortherkunft

The word is a compound of two characters. '愿' (yuàn) originally meant 'sincere' or 'honest' (derived from the 'heart' radical 心). '望' (wàng) originally depicted a person standing on a hill looking at the full moon, representing 'looking forward' or 'hoping.'

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: A sincere looking-forward; a heartfelt hope.

Sino-Tibetan

Kultureller Kontext

Generally a very positive and safe word. However, be mindful when asking about '最后愿望' (last wishes) as it specifically refers to death.

In English, 'wish' is often used for things that are unlikely (e.g., 'I wish I could fly'). In Chinese, '愿望' can be used for both realistic goals and fantastical dreams.

The song '星语心愿' (Starry Wishes) by Cecilia Cheung. The Chinese translation of the movie 'The Bucket List' (愿望清单). Traditional Chinese 'Wishing Trees' (许愿树) found in villages like Lam Tsuen.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Birthdays

  • 许个愿 (Make a wish)
  • 生日愿望 (Birthday wish)
  • 愿望成真 (Wishes come true)
  • 你的愿望是什么? (What is your wish?)

Career/Education

  • 职业愿望 (Career aspiration)
  • 实现愿望 (Realize a wish)
  • 我的愿望是当医生 (My wish is to be a doctor)
  • 为了愿望而努力 (Work hard for a wish)

Holidays/New Year

  • 新年愿望 (New Year wish)
  • 共同愿望 (Common wish)
  • 美好的愿望 (Beautiful wish)
  • 写下愿望 (Write down a wish)

Family/Relationships

  • 父母的愿望 (Parents' wish)
  • 满足愿望 (Satisfy a wish)
  • 孩子的愿望 (Child's wish)
  • 尊重愿望 (Respect a wish)

Literature/Movies

  • 最后愿望 (Last wish)
  • 强烈的愿望 (Strong desire)
  • 愿望落空 (Wish falls through)
  • 达成夙愿 (Achieve a long-held wish)

Gesprächseinstiege

"你小时候的愿望是什么? (What was your childhood wish?)"

"如果你能实现一个愿望,那会是什么? (If you could realize one wish, what would it be?)"

"你的新年愿望清单上有哪些内容? (What's on your New Year's wish list?)"

"你觉得实现愿望最重要的是什么? (What do you think is the most important thing for realizing a wish?)"

"你有没有什么愿望已经实现了? (Do you have any wishes that have already come true?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

写一写你未来五年的三个主要愿望。 (Write about three main wishes you have for the next five years.)

描述一次你实现愿望后的感受。 (Describe how you felt after realizing a wish.)

如果你的愿望落空了,你会怎么做? (If your wish fell through, what would you do?)

讨论一下金钱是否能买到所有的愿望。 (Discuss whether money can buy all wishes.)

写一封信给未来的自己,谈谈你现在的愿望。 (Write a letter to your future self talking about your current wishes.)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, that is incorrect. '愿望' is a noun in Chinese. You should say '我的愿望是去中国' (My wish is to go to China) or use the verb '希望' (xīwàng) like '我希望去中国'.

They are very similar, but '心愿' (xīnyuàn) is more personal and emotional. '愿望' is more general and can be used for anything from a birthday wish to a political goal.

The most common way is '许个愿' (xǔ gè yuàn). You might also hear '许个愿望' (xǔ gè yuànwàng).

It is neutral and can be used in both casual conversations (like birthdays) and formal settings (like speeches about national goals).

The standard measure word is '个' (gè). For example, '一个愿望' (one wish).

Yes, in some contexts it can, but '理想' (lǐxiǎng) or '抱负' (bàofù) are usually better words for 'ambition.'

You can say '我的愿望实现了' (Wǒ de yuànwàng shíxiàn le) or use the idiom '如愿以偿' (rúyuàn yǐ cháng).

Usually, it refers to positive things someone wants. For negative fears, you would use '担心' (dānxīn) or '害怕' (hàipà).

It literally means 'wish list' and is the Chinese term for a 'bucket list'—a list of things you want to do.

It's better to use '要求' (yāoqiú) or just '想' (xiǎng) for small requests. '愿望' implies something more significant.

Teste dich selbst 200 Fragen

writing

Write a sentence using '愿望' to describe your career goal.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using both '实现' and '愿望'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Peace is the common wish of all people.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about a birthday wish.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I have a small wish.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use '为了' to explain why someone is working hard for their wish.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using '放弃' and '愿望'.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'His wish fell through.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about a 'bucket list'.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use '尊重' in a sentence about wishes.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'A beautiful wish can change a person.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence using the idiom '如愿以偿'.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'What is your New Year's wish?'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about a 'childhood wish'.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'Everyone has their own wishes.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Use '表达' in a sentence about wishes.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about a 'shared wish'.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'His wish finally came true.'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Write a sentence about a 'strong desire'.

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
writing

Translate: 'I hope your wish comes true.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Talk about your greatest wish.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Describe a wish you had as a child.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Explain how you realized a wish.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Discuss a shared wish in your community.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

What would you do if your wish fell through?

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Ask a friend about their New Year's wish.

Read this aloud:

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
speaking

Describe your bucket list.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Talk about why respecting wishes is important.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Explain the idiom '如愿以偿'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Tell a story about someone making a wish.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Discuss the difference between 愿望 and 理想.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

How do people make wishes in your country?

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Talk about a wish you have for your family.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Discuss a 'strong desire' you have for learning.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

What is a 'beautiful wish' to you?

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Ask someone if they have realized their wish.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Talk about a 'last wish' in a movie you saw.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Explain why some wishes are 'unrealistic'.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

Talk about the 'common wish' for world peace.

Read this aloud:

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speaking

What is the first thing you would wish for if you found a magic lamp?

Read this aloud:

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listening

Listen and identify the word: '我的愿望是当医生。'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the verb: '他实现了他的愿望。'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the adjective: '这是一个美好的愿望。'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the phrase: '许个愿吧!'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the idiom: '他终于如愿以偿。'

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listening

Listen and identify the negative: '他的愿望落空了。'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the noun: '生日愿望很重要。'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the modifier: '这是我们的共同愿望。'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the context: '你许了什么愿望?' (Birthday context)

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the formality: '表达了迫切的愿望。'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the scale: '一个小小的愿望。'

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listening

Listen and identify the goal: '我的愿望是去北京。'

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listening

Listen and identify the subject: '父母的愿望是孩子幸福。'

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Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the action: '为了达成愿望,他很努力。'

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
listening

Listen and identify the term for bucket list: '愿望清单'。

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

/ 200 correct

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