Definition
望 (wàng) has two main senses: 'to gaze into the distance' (physically looking far away) and 'to hope/expect' (a more formal, written tone than 盼望 or 期望). Unlike 盼望 (pàn wàng) which implies eager, heartfelt longing, 望 is more detached or general. As a verb, it does not mean 'gaze' as a noun (use 目光 or 眼光 for that).
verb
to gaze into the distanceto look far awayto hopeto expectto look forward to
Easily confused
- 玉yùlook-alikejade (a precious stone, often culturally symbolic in Chinese contexts)
- 忘wàngsound-aliketo forget
- 往wǎngsound-alike(preposition) toward, in the direction of
- 网wǎngsound-alike(noun) net (physical)
- 旺wàngsound-alikeprosperous; thriving; vigorous (used for business, fire, plants, energy, etc.)
Examples
- 望。Tā zhàn zài shāndǐng xiàng yuǎnfāng wàng.He stood on the mountaintop and gazed into the distance.
- 望。Wǒ wàng nǐ zǎorì kāngfù.I hope you recover soon.
- 望。Fùmǔ dōu wàng háizi yǒu chūxi.Parents all hope their children will be successful.
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