Definitions

pàn (verb) to hope for; to long for; to expect

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "盼" is structurally composed of the eye radical (目) paired with the component "分", which historically served a phonetic role while contributing to an early meaning associated with clear vision or attentive gazing. Its original sense pertained to looking with bright, focused eyes, a concrete visual act that over time extended metaphorically to express the abstract notion of anticipation and desire. This semantic expansion from physical sight to mental expectation allowed the character to evolve into its contemporary usage, primarily denoting hopeful longing or eager looking forward, while its persistent visual component maintains a subtle link to its etymological roots in observation.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

着好消息。

Wǒ pànzhe hǎo xiāoxi.

I am looking forward to good news.

孩子们着过年。

Háizimen pànzhe guònián.

The children look forward to the New Year.

我们望春天到来。

Wǒmen pànwàng chūntiān dàolái.

We hope for spring to arrive.

他期着你的回复。

Tā qīpànzhe nǐ de huífù.

He is looking forward to your reply.

人民和平已久。

Rénmín pàn hépíng yǐ jiǔ.

The people have longed for peace for a long time.

她日夜着儿子归来。

Tā rìyè pànzhe érzi guīlái.

She day and night hopes for her son to return.

投资者市场稳定增长。

Tóuzīzhě pàn shìchǎng wěndìng zēngzhǎng.

Investors hope for the market to stabilize and grow.

全国人民望着祖国统一。

Quánguó rénmín pànwàngzhe zǔguó tǒngyī.

The people of the whole country look forward to the unification of the motherland.