祈愿 (qí yuàn) — to pray; to make a wish | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A formal, written verb meaning 'to pray' or 'to make a wish,' typically directed at a deity or higher power for blessings or safety. More solemn and literary than everyday 祝愿 ('to wish well').

verb

to prayto make a wish

Examples

祈愿。
Tā xiàng shén míng qí yuàn píng ān.
He prays to the gods for safety.
，祈愿。
Měi nián xīn nián de dì yī tiān, rén men dōu huì qí yuàn hǎo yùn.
On the first day of the new year, people pray for good luck.
，祈愿。
Tā bì shàng yǎn jing, mò mò qí yuàn.
He closed his eyes and prayed silently.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

The pray and wish senses combine to mean making a prayer or heartfelt wish.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

示示shìaltar

Sound part声符shēngfú

斤

斤jīn祈⁰qí

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

祈 has 示, an altar, on the left; 斤 on the right gives the character its sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

原心愿

Meaning part形符xíngfú

心心xīnheart

Sound part声符shēngfú

原

原yuán愿yuàn

Same sound today

愿 places 心 (heart) below 原, which supplies the sound yuán; the 心 part marks the sense of heart or feeling.

Appears in

Religion & Belief

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.