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B2 verb 10 min read

如愿

rúyuàn

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 如愿 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 如愿 in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word '如愿' (rúyuàn) might seem a bit advanced, but you can understand it by looking at words you already know. '如' (rú) is like 'as' or 'according to.' '愿' (yuàn) comes from '愿望' (yuànwàng), which means 'a wish.' So, '如愿' simply means 'as I wished.' Imagine you want a toy for your birthday, and your mom buys it for you. You can say you '如愿' (got your wish). At this level, don't worry about the complex grammar. Just remember it as a way to say 'I got what I wanted.' You will mostly see it in very simple stories or as part of a greeting. Think of it as a 'happy ending' word. If you want to go to the park and it doesn't rain, you '如愿' went to the park. It is a very positive word that makes people feel good because it means a dream or a small hope came true. Even if you only know basic sentences, you can recognize this word by the 'wish' character '愿'.

At the A2 level, you are starting to use more adverbs and describe your feelings. '如愿' (rúyuàn) is a great word to use when you talk about your plans. For example, if you say 'I want to go to China' (我想去中国) and then you actually go, you can say '我终于如愿去中国了' (I finally got my wish to go to China). Notice the word '终于' (zhōngyú), which means 'finally.' These two words are best friends! They are used together very often. At this level, you should try to recognize '如愿' in short texts about people's lives. It usually appears after someone has been working hard or waiting for a long time. It is a step up from just saying 'I am happy' because it explains *why* you are happy—because your specific wish came true. You can also start to see it in the negative form '没能如愿' (méinéng rúyuàn), which means 'could not get the wish.' This is useful for talking about small disappointments, like not being able to see a movie because the tickets were sold out.

By the B1 level, you should be able to use '如愿' (rúyuàn) in your own writing and speaking to describe achievements. You should understand that '如愿' functions as a verb that describes the fulfillment of a desire. It is more formal than '实现' (shíxiàn - to realize) and is often used to describe personal milestones. For instance, in a paragraph about your career, you might write: '我一直想当老师，今年终于如愿了' (I always wanted to be a teacher, and this year I finally got my wish). You should also be familiar with the common four-character idiom '如愿以偿' (rúyuàn yǐ cháng). At this level, you are expected to know that '如愿' is usually intransitive, meaning you don't put an object right after it. You don't say '如愿我的目标.' Instead, you say '如愿实现了目标.' This nuance is important for moving into more natural-sounding Chinese. You will encounter this word in news snippets, blogs, and graded readers, often in the context of sports victories or personal success stories.

At the B2 level, which is where '如愿' (rúyuàn) is officially categorized, you need to master its various placements in a sentence and its formal nuances. You should understand that '如愿' can act as an adverbial (如愿进入大学) or as a predicate (他终于如愿了). You should also be comfortable using the more formal negative '未能如愿' (wèinéng rúyuàn) instead of the more casual '没能如愿.' At this level, you are expected to distinguish '如愿' from similar words like '称心如意' (satisfactory) or '达成' (achieve). You should understand that '如愿' carries a specific emotional weight—it implies a subjective desire being met by an objective event. You will see this word in literature, editorial pieces, and formal speeches. You should be able to use it to discuss complex topics, such as a company successfully entering a new market or a scientist finally proving a theory after years of doubt. Mastery at this level means using '如愿' to add a layer of narrative satisfaction to your descriptions of events.

At the C1 level, you should explore the literary and historical depth of '如愿' (rúyuàn). This includes understanding its usage in classical-style modern prose and its relationship to the concept of '愿' (vow/aspiration) in Chinese philosophy and religion. You should be able to use '如愿' in highly formal contexts, such as academic writing or professional reports, to describe the successful outcome of a long-term strategy. For example, '该政策的实施效果如愿达到了预期目标' (The effect of the policy implementation reached the expected goal as desired). You should also be able to recognize and use related but more obscure idioms or literary phrases. At this level, you should be sensitive to the tone of '如愿'—it can sometimes carry a touch of irony or sarcasm in certain literary contexts (e.g., '他终于如愿落入了陷阱' - He finally, as 'wished,' fell into the trap). Your usage should be precise, choosing '如愿' when the focus is on the fulfillment of an internal state, versus other words that focus purely on external success.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of '如愿' (rúyuàn). You can use it effortlessly in any register, from the most casual conversation to the most profound philosophical discussion. You understand the subtle interplay between '如愿' and the concept of 'fate' (缘分) or 'effort' (努力) in Chinese culture. You can use it to discuss the paradoxes of desire—how one might '如愿' but find the reality different from the expectation. You are comfortable with all its grammatical permutations, including its use in complex, multi-clause sentences and its role in classical Chinese poetry or modern high-brow literature. You can analyze the use of '如愿' in a political speech to see how it frames a government's achievements as the fulfillment of the 'people's wishes.' Your mastery is such that you can play with the word, using it in metaphors or creative writing to evoke specific emotions or cultural associations. You don't just know what the word means; you know the entire world of meaning that sits behind these two characters.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

如愿 in 30 Seconds

如愿 means to realize one's wish or have a desire fulfilled, usually after a period of effort.
It is a B2-level word often used in formal or semi-formal contexts like news and literature.
Commonly paired with '终于' (finally) or used in the negative '未能' (failed to).
It is often part of the four-character idiom '如愿以偿' (rúyuàn yǐ cháng).

The Chinese word 如愿 (rúyuàn) is a sophisticated yet commonly used verb that translates to realizing one's wish, getting one's desire, or having a hope fulfilled. At its core, it is composed of two characters: 如 (rú), meaning 'according to' or 'as,' and 愿 (yuàn), meaning 'wish' or 'desire.' Together, they literally describe a situation that unfolds 'according to one's wishes.' This word is typically used when a long-held aspiration, a specific goal, or a deep-seated hope finally comes to fruition after a period of waiting, effort, or uncertainty.

Core Concept: The realization of a specific internal desire through external events or personal achievement. It signifies the alignment of reality with one's previous intentions.
Emotional Resonance: It carries a sense of relief, satisfaction, and triumph. It is not used for trivial occurrences but for meaningful milestones that the subject has been anticipating.

他经过多年的努力，终于如愿考上了理想的大学。
— After years of hard work, he finally realized his wish of being admitted to his dream university.

In contemporary Chinese society, 如愿 is frequently heard in contexts involving education, career advancement, and personal relationships. For instance, when a student receives an acceptance letter, when a professional lands a coveted job, or when a couple finally has a child after years of trying, others will say they have '如愿.' It serves as a bridge between the psychological state of wanting and the physical state of having.

这次比赛他未能如愿夺冠。
— He failed to get his wish of winning the championship in this competition.

Common Collocations: It is almost always paired with adverbs like 终于 (zhōngyú - finally), 终能 (zhōngnéng - eventually can), or in the negative form 未能 (wèinéng - failed to).

Furthermore, 如愿 is often the base for the four-character idiom (Chengyu) 如愿以偿 (rúyuàn yǐ cháng), which means 'to have one's wish fulfilled' or 'to get what one wanted.' While 如愿 can stand alone as a verb, the idiom is even more common in formal writing. Using 如愿 correctly demonstrates a high level of linguistic competence, as it shows an understanding of how to express achievement with a touch of elegance and emotional depth. It is a word that celebrates the persistence of the human spirit and the joy of reaching a destination after a long journey.

由于天气原因，我们的旅行没能如愿进行。
— Due to weather reasons, our trip could not proceed as we had wished.

Using 如愿 correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as an intransitive verb or a predicative element. Unlike English verbs like 'achieve' or 'fulfill' which often take a direct object (e.g., 'achieve a goal'), 如愿 itself contains the 'object' (the wish). Therefore, you do not usually say '如愿我的梦' (incorrect). Instead, the wish is either implied by the context or stated before the word.

Grammar Pattern 1: Subject + 终于 + 如愿: This is the most common structure. It emphasizes the successful conclusion of a period of waiting or effort. Example: '经过一番波折，他终于如愿了' (After some twists and turns, he finally got his wish).
Grammar Pattern 2: 如愿 + [Verb Phrase]: In this pattern, 如愿 acts as an adverbial modifier, indicating that the following action was the fulfillment of a wish. Example: '他如愿进入了这家公司' (He entered this company as he had wished).

我希望能去北京旅游，这次终于如愿了。
— I hoped to travel to Beijing, and this time I finally got my wish.

One of the most powerful ways to use 如愿 is in the negative form. By using 未能 (wèinéng) or 没能 (méinéng) before 如愿, you express a sense of disappointment or a plan that went awry. This is very common in news reporting or formal storytelling to describe missed opportunities or failures.

尽管他付出了很多，但最终还是没能如愿。
— Despite putting in a lot of effort, he ultimately failed to get his wish.

Pattern 3: [Wish/Goal] + 得以 + 如愿: This is a very formal structure often used in writing. '得以' means 'to be able to.' Example: '他的愿望终于得以如愿' (His wish was finally able to be fulfilled).

In summary, 如愿 is a versatile word that can be a verb on its own or a modifier. Remember that it inherently refers to a 'wish' (愿), so you don't need to add the word 'wish' as an object. It is a 'self-contained' verb in terms of its semantic meaning. Whether you are describing a personal success or a national achievement, 如愿 provides a level of gravitas and clarity that simpler words like '成功' (success) might lack in specific contexts of desire and fulfillment.

如果一切顺利，你下个月就能如愿拿到签证。
— If everything goes smoothly, you will be able to get your visa as you wish next month.

The word 如愿 is ubiquitous in Chinese media, literature, and daily conversation, though it leans slightly toward a formal or semi-formal register. Understanding its 'natural habitat' will help you recognize the specific emotional weight it carries in different scenarios.

News and Media: You will frequently hear this in sports news or political reporting. For example, '中国女排如愿夺冠' (The Chinese Women's Volleyball team won the championship as wished). It frames the victory not just as a result, but as the achievement of a specific objective.
Educational Contexts: Every summer, when the Gaokao (College Entrance Exam) results are released, social media is flooded with the phrase '如愿以偿' or '如愿考上'. It is the standard way to congratulate someone on getting into their chosen school.

他在三十岁那年，终于如愿出版了自己的第一本小说。
— In the year he turned thirty, he finally realized his wish of publishing his first novel.

In TV dramas (especially historical or romantic ones), characters often use 如愿 to express their long-term goals or to lament their failures. A villain might say, '你以为你能如愿吗？' (Do you think you can get your way?), while a protagonist might pray, '愿我能如愿以偿' (May my wish be fulfilled). It adds a layer of 'destiny' to the dialogue.

看到孩子们都健康成长，父母总算如愿了。
— Seeing the children all grow up healthy, the parents finally felt their wishes were fulfilled.

Formal Ceremonies: In wedding speeches or retirement parties, speakers use 如愿 to summarize a life well-lived or a relationship that has reached a happy milestone. It is a word of blessing and recognition.

Essentially, wherever there is a story of 'wanting' followed by 'achieving,' you will find 如愿. It is the linguistic marker of a closed loop between a person's heart and the world's response. From the high-stakes world of international business deals to the quiet joy of a personal hobby, 如愿 is the word that captures that 'yes, I did it' feeling with grace and precision.

科学家们经过数十年的研究，终于如愿发现了这种新物质。
— After decades of research, the scientists finally succeeded in discovering this new substance as they had hoped.

While 如愿 is a powerful word, English speakers often make specific errors when trying to integrate it into their Chinese. These mistakes usually stem from direct translation or a misunderstanding of the word's inherent grammatical structure.

Mistake 1: Treating it as a Transitive Verb: The most common error is saying something like '我如愿了我的计划' (I fulfilled my plan). In Chinese, 如愿 is an intransitive verb phrase. You should say '我的计划如愿了' or '我如愿完成了计划'. The 'wish' is already inside the word.
Mistake 2: Using it for Trivial Things: Don't use 如愿 for small, everyday desires. For example, '我如愿买到了一个苹果' (I got my wish of buying an apple) sounds strange and overly dramatic unless that apple was extremely rare or significant. Use '买到' or '买到了想买的' for daily tasks.

❌ 错误：他如愿了他的梦想。
✅ 正确：他终于如愿以偿，实现了梦想。
— Error: He 'ruyuan-ed' his dream. Correct: He finally got his wish and realized his dream.

Another mistake is confusing 如愿 with 满意 (mǎnyì - satisfied). While both involve positive outcomes, 满意 is an adjective describing a feeling about a result, whereas 如愿 is a verb describing the event of fulfillment itself. You can be '满意' with a meal, but you '如愿' when you finally get to eat at a Michelin-star restaurant you've dreamed of for years.

❌ 错误：我很如愿这个结果。
✅ 正确：我对这个结果很满意，我终于如愿了。
— Error: I am very 'ruyuan' this result. Correct: I am satisfied with this result; I finally got my wish.

Mistake 3: Misplacing the Adverb: In the pattern '如愿 + Verb', the 如愿 must come before the verb. Students sometimes put it after, like '他进入公司如愿了', which sounds like two separate, disconnected thoughts rather than one cohesive action.

Lastly, be careful with the negative form. While '不如愿' (not as wished) is grammatically possible, it is much more common and natural to use '未能如愿' (failed to get one's wish). '不如愿' sounds a bit like an adjective describing a situation (e.g., '事不如愿' - things are not going as wished), whereas '未能如愿' is the standard way to describe a person's failure to achieve a goal.

❌ 错误：他没如愿考上大学。
✅ 正确：他未能如愿考上大学。
— Note: While '没' is okay in casual speech, '未能' is much more professional and common with '如愿'.

To truly master 如愿, you must be able to distinguish it from its synonyms and choose the right word for the right situation. Chinese has many ways to express 'getting what you want,' but each has a specific nuance.

如愿以偿 (rúyuàn yǐ cháng): This is the most direct relative of 如愿. It is a Chengyu (idiom). The addition of '以偿' (to fulfill/repay) makes it more formal and emphasizes the 'completion' of the wish. Use this in writing or formal speeches.
达成 (dáchéng): Meaning 'to reach' or 'to achieve,' this is often used for agreements, goals, or targets (e.g., 达成协议 - reach an agreement). It is more objective and less emotional than 如愿.
实现 (shíxiàn): Meaning 'to realize' or 'to bring about,' this is the most common word for 'fulfilling' a dream (实现梦想). Unlike 如愿, 实现 is a transitive verb and requires an object.

Comparison:
1. 我如愿了。 (I got my wish - focus on the person)
2. 我实现了梦想。 (I realized my dream - focus on the dream)

If you are looking for more idiomatic or poetic alternatives, consider 称心如意 (chènxīn rúyì). This means 'after one's own heart' or 'perfectly satisfying.' It is often used to describe a situation or a thing (like a job or a spouse) that is exactly what you wanted. While 如愿 is about the act of fulfillment, 称心如意 is about the state of being perfectly satisfied with the outcome.

虽然他成功了，但并不是以他想要的方式，所以他并未完全如愿。
— Although he succeeded, it wasn't in the way he wanted, so he didn't fully get his wish.

心想事成 (xīnxiǎng shìchéng): This is a common greeting meaning 'may all your wishes come true.' It is more of a blessing or a wish for the future, whereas 如愿 is usually used to describe something that has already happened or is in the process of happening.

In business or formal writing, you might also see 如期 (rúqī), meaning 'as scheduled' or 'on time.' While it shares the '如' (according to) prefix, it focuses on the timeline rather than the desire. Understanding these subtle differences will allow you to paint a much clearer picture in your Chinese communication, moving from 'basic' success to 'meaningful' fulfillment.

新产品如期发布，团队也终于如愿获得了市场的认可。
— The new product was released on schedule, and the team finally got their wish of gaining market recognition.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '愿' contains the 'heart' (心) radical at the bottom, which shows that it is related to internal feelings and intentions. The top part '原' provides the sound.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ruː jwɛn/

US /ru jwɛn/

The stress is balanced on both syllables, with a slight emphasis on the second syllable 'yuan' to complete the meaning.

Rhymes With

书院 (shūyuàn) 医院 (yīyuàn) 如愿 (rúyuàn) 许愿 (xǔyuàn) 学院 (xuéyuàn) 自愿 (zìyuàn) 情愿 (qíngyuàn) 心愿 (xīnyuàn)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ru' as 'woo'.
Pronouncing 'yuan' as 'yoo-an' (two syllables) instead of one.
Getting the tones wrong (should be second tone and fourth tone).
Confusing 'ru' with 'lu'.
Dropping the 'n' at the end of 'yuan'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are relatively common, but the nuance requires B2 level understanding.

Writing 4/5

Using it as an intransitive verb correctly is tricky for English speakers.

Speaking 3/5

Easy to pronounce, but sounds best in specific 'achievement' contexts.

Listening 3/5

Common in news and dramas, so it's easy to recognize once learned.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

愿望 (yuànwàng) 如 (rú) 终于 (zhōngyú) 实现 (shíxiàn) 成功 (chénggōng)

Learn Next

如愿以偿 (rúyuàn yǐ cháng) 称心如意 (chènxīn rúyì) 达成 (dáchéng) 心想事成 (xīnxiǎng shìchéng) 万事如意 (wànshì rúyì)

Advanced

遂 (suì) 偿 (cháng) 志向 (zhìxiàng) 抱负 (bàofù) 契机 (qìjī)

Grammar to Know

Adverbial placement of '如愿'

他[如愿]考上了大学。 (Correct: Adverbial before the verb)

Use of '终于' with '如愿'

他[终于]如愿了。 (Shows the end of a long process)

Negative '未能' vs '没能'

他[未能]如愿。 (Formal) vs 他[没能]如愿。 (Informal)

Intransitive nature of '如愿'

我的梦想[如愿]了。 (The dream is the subject, not the object)

Using '如愿以偿' as a fixed phrase

他终于[如愿以偿]地回到了家。 (Adding '地' to make it an adverb)

Examples by Level

我买到了书，如愿了。

I bought the book, got my wish.

Subject + Verb + 如愿了.

他想吃苹果，现在如愿了。

He wanted to eat an apple, now he got his wish.

Simple realization of a small desire.

如愿去北京。

Go to Beijing as wished.

如愿 + Verb.

他如愿见到了朋友。

He met his friend as he wished.

如愿 + Verb phrase.

我如愿喝到了茶。

I drank the tea as I wished.

Focus on simple completion.

妹妹如愿穿上了新衣服。

Little sister wore the new clothes as she wished.

Subject + 如愿 + Verb.

今天没能如愿去公园。

Could not go to the park as wished today.

Negative form: 没能 + 如愿.

愿你如愿。

May you get your wish.

Used as a short blessing.

我终于如愿考上了那所学校。

I finally got my wish and was admitted to that school.

终于 + 如愿 + Verb.

他们如愿买到了一套大房子。

They got their wish and bought a big house.

如愿 + Verb phrase.

虽然下雨了，但他还是如愿见到了他。

Although it rained, he still got his wish to see him.

Contrast using 虽然...但是... and 如愿.

他希望能出名，现在总算如愿了。

He hoped to be famous, now at last he got his wish.

总算 + 如愿.

如果没有你的帮助，我不能如愿。

Without your help, I couldn't get my wish.

Conditional sentence with 如愿.

她如愿在上海找到了工作。

She found a job in Shanghai as she wished.

如愿 + Location + Verb.

大家都能如愿以偿吗？

Can everyone have their wishes fulfilled?

Introducing the idiom '如愿以偿'.

他没能如愿参加明天的会议。

He failed to get his wish to attend tomorrow's meeting.

没能 + 如愿 + Verb.

经过多年的努力，他终于如愿以偿地出版了第一本书。

After years of effort, he finally fulfilled his wish of publishing his first book.

Using the idiom '如愿以偿' as an adverbial.

他一直想去西藏，这次旅行终于让他如愿了。

He always wanted to go to Tibet; this trip finally let him get his wish.

让 + Subject + 如愿.

由于身体原因，他未能如愿参加这次马拉松比赛。

Due to health reasons, he failed to get his wish of participating in this marathon.

Formal negative '未能' + 如愿.

如果这次能如愿，我一定会好好庆祝一下。

If I can get my wish this time, I will definitely have a good celebration.

Conditional '如果...能如愿'.

他如愿拿到了那份梦寐以求的合同。

He got his wish and obtained that long-dreamed-of contract.

如愿 + Verb + Object with descriptive modifier.

父母希望他回老家工作，他最终如愿回去了。

His parents hoped he would work in his hometown, and he finally went back as wished.

最终 + 如愿 + Verb.

只要努力，每个人都有如愿的机会。

As long as you work hard, everyone has the chance to get their wish.

Noun-like use: 如愿的机会.

他并没有如愿得到那个职位，感到很失望。

He did not get the position as he wished and felt very disappointed.

并没有 + 如愿 + Verb.

该运动员在决赛中发挥出色，终于如愿夺得了金牌。

The athlete performed excellently in the final and finally won the gold medal as he wished.

Formal narrative style with 如愿.

尽管面临重重困难，该项目还是如愿在年底前完工了。

Despite facing numerous difficulties, the project was still completed before the end of the year as desired.

如愿 + Time phrase + Verb.

他一直渴望能为国家效力，这次入选国家队使他如愿以偿。

He had always longed to serve his country, and being selected for the national team this time fulfilled his wish.

使 + Subject + 如愿以偿.

由于竞争异常激烈，他未能如愿进入复赛。

Due to exceptionally fierce competition, he failed to get his wish of entering the semi-finals.

Formal structure: 未能如愿 + Verb.

如果一切都能按照计划进行，我们一定能如愿达成目标。

If everything can proceed according to plan, we will certainly be able to achieve our goal as wished.

能如愿 + 达成 + 目标.

他如愿以偿地过上了自己向往的田园生活。

He got his wish and lived the pastoral life he had yearned for.

Idiom as an adverbial with '地'.

这次成功的收购让公司如愿扩大了市场份额。

This successful acquisition allowed the company to expand its market share as desired.

让 + Noun + 如愿 + Verb.

他希望能得到家人的理解，但事情并未如愿。

He hoped to get his family's understanding, but things did not go as he wished.

事情 + 未 + 如愿 (Things did not go as wished).

这部作品经过反复修改，最终如愿呈现出了作者预想的艺术效果。

After repeated revisions, this work finally presented the artistic effect envisioned by the author as desired.

Abstract subject + 如愿 + Verb.

他的一生都在追求真理，晚年时终于如愿看到理论得到了证实。

He spent his whole life pursuing truth and finally got his wish in his later years to see his theory confirmed.

Sophisticated narrative structure.

尽管他费尽心机，但计划最终还是未能如愿实施。

Despite all his scheming, the plan ultimately failed to be implemented as he had wished.

Use of '费尽心机' with '未能如愿'.

这一政策的颁布，标志着该地区如愿进入了经济高速发展的轨道。

The promulgation of this policy marks the region's entry into the track of high-speed economic development as desired.

Macro-level usage of 如愿.

他如愿以偿地摆脱了世俗的束缚，选择了隐居山林。

He successfully fulfilled his wish to break free from worldly constraints and chose to live in seclusion in the mountains.

Literary and philosophical context.

若能如愿，我愿倾尽所有来换取这片刻的宁静。

If I could get my wish, I would give everything I have in exchange for this moment of tranquility.

Hypothetical '若能如愿'.

在各方的共同努力下，这项具有里程碑意义的工程如愿竣工了。

With the joint efforts of all parties, this landmark project was completed as desired.

Formal engineering/project context.

他虽未能如愿在文学上取得巨大成就，却在教育领域开花结果。

Although he failed to achieve great success in literature as he wished, he flourished in the field of education.

Contrast between a failed wish and an unexpected success.

历史的发展往往并不如愿，其复杂性远超个人的主观臆断。

The development of history often does not go as wished; its complexity far exceeds individual subjective assumptions.

Philosophical usage where 'history' is the subject.

他如愿登上了权力的巅峰，却发现高处不胜寒，内心愈发孤独。

He reached the pinnacle of power as he wished, only to find that it is lonely at the top, and his inner solitude grew.

Exploring the irony of getting what one wishes.

这场旷日持久的诉讼终于尘埃落定，正义得以如愿伸张。

This long-drawn-out litigation has finally settled, and justice has been upheld as desired.

Passive-like structure: Noun + 得以 + 如愿 + Verb.

他试图通过联姻来实现政治抱负，但局势的发展并未让他如愿。

He tried to realize his political ambitions through marriage, but the development of the situation did not let him get his wish.

Complex political and social context.

在这个物欲横流的时代，他能如愿保持一颗赤子之心，实属难得。

In this materialistic era, it is truly rare that he can maintain a pure heart as he wished.

Abstract and moral usage.

若非天意弄人，他本可以如愿完成他的科学宏图。

Were it not for the cruel hand of fate, he could have completed his scientific grand plan as he wished.

Subjunctive mood and fatalistic context.

该民族经过百年的抗争，终于如愿赢得了独立与尊严。

After a hundred years of struggle, the nation finally won independence and dignity as it had wished.

National and historical achievement.

他在生命的最后时刻，如愿见到了阔别多年的故乡，含笑而逝。

At the final moment of his life, he saw his long-lost hometown as he wished and passed away with a smile.

Poignant and literary usage.

Common Collocations

终于如愿

未能如愿

如愿以偿

总算如愿

如愿进入

如愿夺冠

难以如愿

得以如愿

如愿获得

未能如愿以偿

Common Phrases

事不如愿

— Things do not go as one wishes. Used to describe life's frustrations.

生活中常有事不如愿的时候。

如愿考上

— Successfully admitted to a school as wished. Very common in education.

祝你今年能如愿考上理想的高中。

如愿拿到

— Successfully obtained something as wished (e.g., a visa, a prize).

他如愿拿到了出国留学的签证。

如愿实现

— To realize a wish or dream successfully.

他的愿望终于如愿实现了。

如愿以偿地

— Doing something in a way that fulfills one's wish.

他如愿以偿地买到了那辆车。

希望能如愿

— Hoping that a wish will come true.

我希望能如愿见到我的偶像。

没能如愿

— Failed to get one's wish (casual form).

他没能如愿去成北京。

终能如愿

— Will eventually get one's wish.

只要不放弃，你终能如愿。

如愿入选

— To be selected as wished (for a team, a list, etc.).

他如愿入选了校篮球队。

如愿找到

— To find something as wished (a job, a lost item).

她如愿找到了一份满意的工作。

Often Confused With

如愿 vs 满意 (mǎnyì)

满意 is an adjective (satisfied). 如愿 is a verb (to get one's wish). You are satisfied WITH a result; you GET your wish.

如愿 vs 成功 (chénggōng)

成功 is more general success. 如愿 specifically links the success to a prior wish or desire.

如愿 vs 愿望 (yuànwàng)

愿望 is the noun (a wish). 如愿 is the verb phrase (to follow the wish).

Idioms & Expressions

"如愿以偿"

— To have one's wish completely fulfilled. The most common idiom using '如愿'.

他想当科学家的梦想终于如愿以偿。

Formal

"称心如意"

— Everything is as one wishes; perfectly satisfying.

他过着称心如意的生活。

Neutral

"心想事成"

— May all your wishes come true. Used as a greeting.

祝你新的一年心想事成！

Informal/Greeting

"万事如意"

— May everything go according to your wishes.

春节期间，大家互相祝愿万事如意。

Neutral/Greeting

"大失所望"

— To be greatly disappointed (the opposite of getting one's wish).

比赛结果让他大失所望。

Neutral

"天随人愿"

— Heaven follows human wishes; luck is on one's side.

真是天随人愿，雨终于停了。

Literary

"事与愿违"

— Things turn out contrary to one's wishes.

他本想帮忙，结果却是事与愿违。

Formal

"一遂心愿"

— To fulfill one's heart's desire once and for all.

他只想一遂心愿，去看看大海。

Literary

"尽如人意"

— Entirely according to one's wishes (often used in the negative).

生活并不总是尽如人意的。

Formal

"满载而归"

— To return with a full load; to achieve everything one hoped for.

他在这次比赛中如愿以偿，满载而归。

Neutral

Easily Confused

如愿 vs 如期

Both start with '如'.

如期 means 'on schedule' (as timed). 如愿 means 'as wished'.

会议如期举行 (The meeting was held on schedule). 他如愿参加了会议 (He attended the meeting as he wished).

如愿 vs 如意

Both mean things going well.

如意 describes a state or a thing (satisfactory). 如愿 describes the action of fulfillment.

万事如意 (everything goes well). 他终于如愿了 (He finally got his wish).

如愿 vs 实现

Both mean fulfilling something.

实现 is transitive (needs an object like 'dream'). 如愿 is intransitive or an adverbial.

实现理想 vs 如愿考上大学.

如愿 vs 达成

Both mean reaching a goal.

达成 is objective and professional. 如愿 is subjective and emotional.

达成协议 vs 如愿见到老友.

如愿 vs 遂心

Both mean getting what you want.

遂心 is more literary and often refers to internal satisfaction.

事事遂心.

Sentence Patterns

我终于如愿[Verb]了。

我终于如愿去中国了。

他未能如愿[Verb]。

他未能如愿参加比赛。

[Subject]让[Person]如愿以偿。

这张门票让我如愿以偿。

经过[Effort]，终于如愿了。

经过努力，他终于如愿了。

如愿以偿地[Verb]。

他如愿以偿地见到了家人。

[Abstract Noun]得以如愿。

正义终于得以如愿。

若能如愿，[Result]。

若能如愿，我将感激不尽。

[Situation]并未让[Person]如愿。

残酷的现实并未让他如愿。

Word Family

Nouns

愿望 (yuànwàng) - wish/desire

心愿 (xīnyuàn) - heart's desire

志愿 (zhìyuàn) - aspiration/volunteer

Verbs

愿 (yuàn) - to wish/to be willing

许愿 (xǔyuàn) - to make a wish

情愿 (qíngyuàn) - to be willing/would rather

Adjectives

自愿的 (zìyuàn de) - voluntary

如意的 (rúyì de) - satisfactory

如 (rú) - like/as

如果 (rúguǒ) - if

如此 (rúcǐ) - like this

愿 (yuàn) - wish

愿望 (yuànwàng) - wish

How to Use It

frequency

Common in written Chinese and formal spoken contexts; moderate in daily casual speech.

Common Mistakes

我如愿了我的考试。 → 我终于如愿通过了考试。
You cannot put an object (考试) directly after '如愿'. You must use it as an adverbial before the verb (通过).
他很如愿。 → 他终于如愿了。
'如愿' is a verb, not an adjective. You cannot say 'very ruyuan'. Use '终于' to show completion.
我如愿买到了一瓶水。 → 我买到了一瓶水。
Using '如愿' for buying water is too dramatic. It's for bigger wishes.
他没如愿去北京。 → 他未能如愿去北京。
While '没' is okay in casual speech, '未能' is much more natural and standard when paired with '如愿'.
如愿我的梦想。 → 如愿以偿，实现了梦想。
Again, don't use it as a transitive verb. Use the idiom or a different structure.

Tips

Don't add an object

Remember that '如愿' already includes the idea of the 'wish' (愿). Don't say '如愿梦想'. Just say '如愿' or '如愿以偿'.

Use for milestones

Save '如愿' for things like graduations, weddings, or big career moves. Using it for small things like 'I got my wish of eating a snack' sounds funny.

Pair with '终于'

If you want to sound like a native, almost always put '终于' (finally) before '如愿' when talking about a success.

Learn the Chengyu

Learn '如愿以偿' alongside '如愿'. You will see the idiom even more often than the two-character word in formal writing.

Master '未能'

In news or exams, you will often see '未能如愿'. This is the standard formal way to say someone failed to achieve their goal.

vs 满意

If you feel good about something, use '满意' (satisfied). If a specific thing you wanted actually happened, use '如愿'.

Congratulate others

Use '你终于如愿了！' to congratulate a friend who just achieved a long-term goal. It sounds more caring than just 'congratulations'.

Look for '愿'

When reading, if you see '愿' at the end of a word, it almost always relates to a wish. This helps you guess the meaning of '如愿'.

Adverbial use

Try using it before a verb: '他如愿拿到了奖学金'. This is a very efficient and elegant way to write.

New Year greetings

While '如愿' is for specific achievements, remember '万事如意' for general New Year wishes.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Ru' as 'Rule' and 'Yuan' as 'You want.' So, 'Ru-Yuan' is when the 'Rules' of the world follow what 'You want.'

Visual Association

Imagine a person blowing out candles on a birthday cake and then immediately receiving the gift they were thinking of.

Word Web

如愿愿望如意实现终于如愿以偿未能如愿理想

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about three different people achieving three different goals using '终于如愿'.

Word Origin

The word '如愿' comes from Classical Chinese. '如' (rú) originally meant 'to follow' or 'to be like.' '愿' (yuàn) originally meant 'sincere' or 'a vow made to a deity.'

Original meaning: To have things follow one's sincere vows or heart's desire.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic)

Cultural Context

The word is very positive and safe to use in almost all contexts. Avoid using it sarcastically unless you are very advanced, as it can sound quite biting.

In English, we often say 'My dream came true' or 'I got my way.' '如愿' is slightly more formal than 'got my way' and more focused on the wish than 'dream come true.'

The idiom '如愿以偿' appears in many classical novels like 'Dream of the Red Chamber'. Many Chinese pop songs use '如愿' to describe finding love or reaching a goal. The 2021 song '如愿' (Faye Wong) for the movie 'My Country, My Parents' became a massive hit, celebrating the wishes of past generations being fulfilled by the present.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Education

如愿考上理想大学
如愿获得奖学金
如愿完成学业
未能如愿进入名校

Career

如愿拿到Offer
如愿晋升
如愿进入这家公司
如愿完成项目

Sports

如愿夺金
如愿进入决赛
如愿打破纪录
未能如愿卫冕

Travel

如愿去西藏旅游
如愿见到偶像
如愿买到特产
总算如愿成行

Family

如愿有个孩子
如愿全家团聚
如愿买到大房子
为了让父母如愿

Conversation Starters

"你最近有什么心愿终于如愿了吗？ (Have you had any wishes come true recently?)"

"如果你能如愿去一个地方旅游，你会去哪儿？ (If you could get your wish to travel somewhere, where would you go?)"

"为了如愿考上大学，你当时是怎么努力的？ (How did you work hard to get your wish of getting into university?)"

"你觉得只要努力，就一定能如愿以偿吗？ (Do you think as long as you work hard, you will definitely get your wish?)"

"有没有哪次你未能如愿，但后来发现其实是好事？ (Was there a time you failed to get your wish, but later found it was a good thing?)"

Journal Prompts

写一次你终于如愿以偿的经历，描述你当时的心情。 (Write about a time you finally got your wish; describe your feelings at the time.)

谈谈你对“事不如愿”的看法，我们该如何面对失败？ (Discuss your views on 'things not going as wished'; how should we face failure?)

你现在的最大心愿是什么？你打算如何让它如愿？ (What is your biggest wish now? How do you plan to make it come true?)

分析一个你喜欢的电影角色，他最后如愿了吗？为什么？ (Analyze a movie character you like; did they get their wish in the end? Why?)

如果你能如愿改变世界的一件事，你会改变什么？ (If you could get your wish to change one thing about the world, what would it be?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that is incorrect. '如愿' is an intransitive verb. You should say '我如愿实现了我的梦想' (I successfully realized my dream as I wished) or '我的梦想终于如愿了' (My dream finally came true).

They mean the same thing, but '如愿以偿' is a four-character idiom (Chengyu) and is more formal and literary. '如愿' is shorter and can be used as a simple verb or adverbial.

It is inherently positive, but it is very frequently used in the negative form '未能如愿' (failed to get one's wish) to describe disappointment.

You can, but it sounds a bit dramatic or sarcastic. It is better reserved for more significant events like passing an exam or getting a job.

You can say '祝你如愿以偿' or '愿你如愿'. For a common greeting, use '心想事成'.

Not always, but '终于' (finally) is its most common companion because it emphasizes the completion of a period of waiting.

It means 'things are not going as wished.' It is a common way to express that life is being difficult or plans are failing.

It is neutral to formal. It is perfectly fine in daily conversation but is very common in news and literature.

Not really. You wouldn't say '一个如愿的人.' You would say '一个如愿以偿的人' (a person whose wishes have been fulfilled).

Use '未能' or '没能' before it. For example: '他未能如愿夺冠' (He failed to win the championship as he wished).

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Translate into Chinese: 'He finally got his wish of becoming a doctor.'

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

Use 终于 + 如愿 + Verb.