Definition
指望 (zhǐwàng) means 'to count on' or 'to bank on' — it implies relying on someone or something to deliver a specific outcome, often with a sense of dependence. It's stronger and more concrete than 希望 (xīwàng 'to hope'), which is a general wish without the expectation of action. Unlike 指 (zhǐ), which can mean 'to rely on' in a broader sense, 指望 focuses on placing one's hopes in a person or situation.
verb
to count onto bank onto place one's hopes on
noun
hopeprospectsomething to rely on for the future
Examples
- 指望。Wǒ zhǐ wàng tā néng ànshí wánchéng rènwu.I'm counting on him to finish the task on time.
- 指望。Zhè jiàn shì yǐjīng méiyǒu zhǐ wàng le.There's no hope left for this matter.
- 指望，。Bié zhǐ wàng tā le, tā cónglái bù shǒu xìnyòng.Don't count on him — he never keeps his word.
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