Definitions

wàng (verb) to look towards; to gaze (at)
wàng (verb) to hope; to expect
wàng (verb) to visit
wàng (noun) full moon

Etymology

Pictograph of a person standing up (𡈼) and gazing at the moon (). is a sound component.

About

The character "望" originates from early Chinese representations of gazing into the distance, particularly at the moon, which is reflected in its structural composition of the phonetic component 亡 and the semantic component 月. Initially denoting the concrete action of looking afar, its meaning expanded over centuries to encompass abstract ideas such as hope, expectation, and anticipation, while also acquiring secondary connotations related to reputation or prestige in social contexts.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

着窗外。

Wǒ wàng zhe chuāng wài.

I am looking out the window.

我们希你快乐。

Wǒmen xīwàng nǐ kuàilè.

We hope you are happy.

我仰星空。

Wǒ yǎngwàng xīngkōng.

I look up at the starry sky.

了一眼手表。

Tā wàng le yī yǎn shǒubiǎo.

He glanced at his watch.

孩子们着动物园里的动物。

Háizimen wàng zhe dòngwùyuán lǐ de dòngwù.

The children are looking at the animals in the zoo.

我们盼明天会更好。

Wǒmen pànwàng míngtiān huì gèng hǎo.

We look forward to a better tomorrow.

她失地离开了房间。

Tā shīwàng de líkāi le fángjiān.

She left the room disappointedly.

这位科学家享有很高的威

Zhè wèi kēxuéjiā xiǎngyǒu hěn gāo de wēiwàng.

This scientist enjoys high prestige.