希

xī

㐅 + 布

Frequency#508

Definitions

xī (verb) to hope; to wish for

xī (adjective) rare; scarce

Etymology

Composed of 爻 (cross shape) and 巾 (cloth). 爻 is here used to depict the pattern of the cloth. Originally depicted a type of cloth. The meaning later shifted to "sparse", "rare", and "hope".

About

The character "希" originally carried the meaning of rarity or sparseness, and its modern structure is conventionally analyzed as the component 乂 situated above 巾. Its semantic field expanded from denoting objective infrequency to acquiring the verbal sense of to hope or to expect, a development observable in its role in constructs such as 希望 (to hope) and 希求 (to desire), while its earlier connotation persists in words like 希罕 (rare). This shift in meaning represents a move from describing a state of being to expressing intention or wish, without a change in the character's basic composition.

Etymology Hide

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我希望你快乐。

Wǒ xīwàng nǐ kuàilè.

I hope you are happy.

我们都希望成功。

Wǒmen dōu xīwàng chénggōng.

We all hope for success.

我希望你能来参加聚会。

Wǒ xīwàng nǐ néng lái cānjiā jùhuì.

I hope you can come to the party.

希腊是一个美丽的国家。

Xīlà shì yīgè měilì de guójiā.

Greece is a beautiful country.

这种事情并不希罕。

Zhè zhǒng shìqíng bìng bù xīhǎn.

This kind of thing is not rare.

尽管困难重重，他仍然希望坚持下去。

Jǐnguǎn kùnnán chóngchóng, tā réngrán xīwàng jiānchí xiàqù.

Despite numerous difficulties, he still hopes to persevere.

他希求得到大家的认可。

Tā xīqiú dédào dàjiā de rènkě.

He hopes to gain everyone's recognition.

在科学研究中，希冀突破传统思维往往需要大胆创新。

Zài kēxué yánjiū zhōng, xījì tūpò chuántǒng sīwéi wǎngwǎng xūyào dàdǎn chuàngxīn.

In scientific research, hoping to break through traditional thinking often requires bold innovation.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 㐅

Component: 布

希