A1 verb 2 min read

愿意

To be willing to do something.

yuanyi
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use 愿意 to say 'yes' to a request. If someone asks, 'Do you want to eat?' you say, '我愿意' (I am willing).

Use 愿意 to talk about your choices. It is like saying 'I would like to' or 'I am ready to' do a task.

At this level, use 愿意 to discuss cooperation. It helps in negotiations or planning with friends about what you are happy to do.

Understand the nuance of 愿意 versus 想 (want). 愿意 implies a sense of duty or acceptance, whereas 想 is purely desire.

Explore the philosophical depth of 愿意 in literature, where it denotes personal agency and the alignment of the individual will with external circumstances.

Analyze the etymological roots of 愿意 in classical texts, where it often appeared in contexts of moral obligation and the 'will' of the heart.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'to be willing'.
  • Used before verbs.
  • Neutral register.
  • Essential for expressing consent.

When you use 愿意 (yuàn yì), you are telling someone that you are willing to do something. It is a very common verb in Chinese that shows your attitude toward an action.

Think of it as the difference between being forced to do something and choosing to do it. When you say you are 愿意, you are giving your consent or showing your enthusiasm for a task or a choice.

The character 愿 (yuàn) originally referred to a sincere wish or a vow. It combines the radical for 'head' (页) with a sound component, suggesting a thought held in the mind.

The character 意 (yì) comes from the heart (心) and sound (音), representing 'meaning' or 'thought.' Together, 愿意 evolved to mean that one's heart and mind are in agreement with an action.

You use 愿意 before another verb to show your readiness. For example, 我愿意帮忙 (I am willing to help).

It is used in both casual and formal settings. However, in very formal legal or wedding contexts, it carries a weight of solemn commitment, like saying 'I do' in a marriage ceremony.

1. 心甘情愿 (xīn gān qíng yuàn): To be perfectly happy to do something. Example: He was 心甘情愿 to work overtime.

2. 你情我愿 (nǐ qíng wǒ yuàn): Mutual consent. Example: It was a 你情我愿 agreement.

3. 不情之请 (bù qíng zhī qǐ): An unreasonable request (related to the lack of willingness).

4. 愿者上钩 (yuàn zhě shàng gōu): Let those who are willing take the bait.

5. 如愿以偿 (rú yuàn yǐ cháng): To have one's wish fulfilled.

Grammatically, 愿意 is a modal-like verb. It is usually followed by a verb phrase. You cannot use it in the imperative mood directly.

Pronunciation is yuàn (falling tone) and yì (falling-rising tone). It is a standard Mandarin term used across all regions.

Fun Fact

The character 愿 contains the head radical, suggesting it starts as a thought.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /yuæn i/

Mandarin tones are specific.

US /yuæn i/

Mandarin tones are specific.

Common Errors

  • Tone confusion
  • Mispronouncing 'yu'
  • Dropping the second tone

Rhymes With

注意 随意 主意 生意 记忆

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Easy to read.

Writing 2/5

Moderate.

Speaking 2/5

Moderate.

Listening 1/5

Easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

我 去 做

Learn Next

希望 同意 打算

Advanced

志愿 愿望

Grammar to Know

Modal Verbs

愿意/想/能

Negation

不

Verb Phrases

愿意+verb

Examples by Level

1

我愿意去。

I am willing to go.

Verb following verb.

2

你愿意吗？

3

我不愿意。

4

他愿意帮忙。

5

我们愿意学习。

6

她愿意唱歌。

7

大家愿意参加。

8

谁愿意来？

1

你愿意和我一起去吗？

2

我愿意尝试一下。

3

他并不愿意离开。

4

她愿意接受这份工作。

5

我们愿意分享食物。

6

他们愿意听你的建议。

7

你愿意帮我个忙吗？

8

大家都愿意支持你。

1

我非常愿意为你效劳。

2

如果你愿意，我们可以明天再谈。

3

他似乎不太愿意配合。

4

她愿意为了梦想而努力。

5

我们愿意承担这个责任。

6

你愿意放弃这个机会吗？

7

他们愿意做出妥协。

8

谁愿意担任这个角色？

1

他心甘情愿地接受了惩罚。

2

我愿意相信你的判断。

3

她并不愿意卷入这场纷争。

4

我们愿意倾听不同的声音。

5

你愿意为了长远利益牺牲眼前吗？

6

他们愿意达成协议。

7

我愿意承担一切后果。

8

谁愿意站出来承担责任？

1

他展现出一种心甘情愿的奉献精神。

2

在法律上，这是基于双方的愿意。

3

她愿意承担起这份沉重的历史使命。

4

我们愿意通过对话解决分歧。

5

他并不愿意屈从于压力。

6

这种合作是建立在双方愿意的基础上。

7

你愿意为了真理而战吗？

8

他们愿意做出必要的牺牲。

1

他以一种近乎神圣的姿态，表示愿意献身于事业。

2

这种愿意，不仅是口头的承诺，更是内心的契约。

3

在历史的转折点，他表现出了愿意承担的勇气。

4

她愿意在孤独中寻找答案。

5

我们愿意在复杂局势中寻求共识。

6

这种愿意，超越了简单的利益交换。

7

你愿意在未知的道路上探索吗？

8

他们愿意为了共同的愿景而奋斗。

Common Collocations

愿意帮忙
愿意接受
愿意尝试
非常愿意
不太愿意
愿意承担
愿意配合
愿意分享
愿意支持
愿意放弃

Idioms & Expressions

"心甘情愿"

Perfectly happy to do something.

她心甘情愿地照顾老人。

neutral

"你情我愿"

Mutual consent.

这是你情我愿的事。

neutral

"愿者上钩"

Let those who are willing take the bait.

这生意愿者上钩。

idiomatic

"如愿以偿"

Wish fulfilled.

他终于如愿以偿。

formal

"愿闻其详"

Wish to hear the details.

愿闻其详。

formal

"不情之请"

Unreasonable request.

有个不情之请。

polite

Easily Confused

愿意 vs 想

Both imply desire.

想 is want, 愿意 is willing.

我想买 (I want to buy) vs 我愿意买 (I am willing to buy).

愿意 vs 同意

Both imply agreement.

同意 is agree, 愿意 is willing.

我同意 (I agree) vs 我愿意 (I am willing).

愿意 vs 乐意

Similar meaning.

乐意 is happier/more enthusiastic.

我很乐意 (I'd be happy to).

愿意 vs 打算

Both relate to future.

打算 is plan, 愿意 is willingness.

我打算去 (I plan to go) vs 我愿意去 (I am willing to go).

Sentence Patterns

A1

Subject + 愿意 + Verb

我愿意去。

A1

Subject + 不愿意 + Verb

他不愿去。

A2

Subject + 非常愿意 + Verb

我非常愿意帮忙。

B1

Subject + 是否愿意 + Verb

请问您是否愿意参加？

B2

Subject + 愿意 + Verb + Object

我愿意承担责任。

Word Family

Nouns

愿望 Wish or desire.

Verbs

情愿 Be willing.

Adjectives

愿意的 Willing (as an adjective).

Related

希望 Hope (related to desire).

How to Use It

frequency

9

Formality Scale

Formal Neutral Casual N/A

Common Mistakes

Using 愿意 as a noun. → Use it as a verb.
It describes an action or state, not an object.
Confusing with 想. → Distinguish between desire and consent.
想 is 'want', 愿意 is 'willing'.
Directly using in imperative. → Use as a statement.
You cannot command someone to be willing.
Ignoring the negative form. → Use 不愿意.
Don't use 没愿意.
Misplacing the adverb. → Place before 愿意.
Adverbs modify the verb.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Imagine a door opening when you say 愿意.

💡

Native usage

Use it to show polite cooperation.

🌍

Cultural Insight

It shows respect for the other person's request.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

Always follow with a verb.

💡

Say It Right

Focus on the tones.

💡

Don't Make This Mistake

Don't use it as a noun.

💡

Did You Know?

It is used in wedding vows.

💡

Study Smart

Use flashcards with 'willing to' on the back.

💡

Context

Write 5 sentences about your day.

💡

Review

Review these idioms weekly.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a heart (心) that is ready to say yes.

Visual Association

A person with an open hand.

Word Web

Consent Choice Desire

Challenge

Say 'I am willing' in Chinese 10 times today.

Word Origin

Chinese

Original meaning: Sincere heart and mind.

Cultural Context

Neutral.

Translates well to 'willing to' or 'would like to'.

Used in traditional wedding vows.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At work

  • 愿意配合
  • 愿意承担
  • 愿意学习

Socializing

  • 愿意去
  • 愿意一起
  • 愿意尝试

Negotiation

  • 愿意妥协
  • 愿意接受
  • 愿意讨论

Daily life

  • 愿意帮忙
  • 愿意分享
  • 愿意听

Conversation Starters

"你愿意和我一起去旅行吗？"

"你愿意尝试新的食物吗？"

"你愿意在周末加班吗？"

"你愿意分享你的经验吗？"

"你愿意接受这个挑战吗？"

Journal Prompts

Write about something you are willing to do for your friend.

Describe a time you were not willing to do something.

List three things you are willing to learn this year.

Why is it important to be willing to help others?

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

No, 愿意 is willing, 想 is want.

不愿意.

No, it's for actions.

It is neutral.

Yes, 你愿意吗?

Chinese verbs don't change form.

Yes, very common.

Say 我不愿意.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

我___帮忙。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 愿意

愿意 means willing.

multiple choice A2

Which is correct?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 我愿意去

Subject + 愿意 + Verb.

true false B1

愿意 means 'to refuse'.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It means to be willing.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Vocabulary match.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Subject-Verb-Object pattern.

Score: /5

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

willing English
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