zhǐwàng: 指望 - To Count On, To Look To, To Hope For
Quick Summary
Keywords: zhiwang, zhi wang, 指望, to count on, to rely on, to depend on, to look to for help, Chinese word for hope, Chinese dependency, hope for, Chinese verbs
Summary: Discover the meaning of 指望 (zhǐwàng), a common Chinese verb that means “to count on” or “to look to” someone or something for a desired outcome. This page breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and practical usage. Learn why 指望 (zhǐwàng) is different from a simple “hope” and often carries a sense of dependency or even futility, making it a crucial term for understanding nuances in Chinese communication.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): zhǐwàng
Part of Speech: Verb, Noun
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: To look to someone or something for a specific outcome; to count on; to hope for.
In a Nutshell:指望 (zhǐwàng) is not just a general hope, but a hope that is directed at a specific person, entity, or plan. It implies a degree of reliance and dependency on that external source to make something happen. While it can be neutral, it's very often used in negative sentences to mean “don't even think about counting on…” expressing that a particular source of hope is unreliable or futile.
Character Breakdown
指 (zhǐ): To point; finger. Imagine pointing your finger directly at something to single it out.
望 (wàng): To gaze into the distance; to look towards; to hope. This character depicts a person standing on a high place (a cliff or earth), craning their neck to look at the moon (月), full of expectation.
Combined Meaning: The characters create a vivid picture: “to point your gaze towards” a specific target. This perfectly captures the meaning of directing all your hope and expectation onto a single person or solution, as if you're pointing at it and saying, “You are my only hope.”
Cultural Context and Significance
Dependency and Relationships:指望 (zhǐwàng) is deeply embedded in the Chinese cultural fabric of interpersonal relationships and obligations. For centuries, individuals have been expected to rely on their family and close social networks. A classic example is the concept of 养儿防老 (yǎng'ér fánglǎo), “raising children to provide for old age.” In this context, parents 指望 (zhǐwàng) their children to support them. This isn't just a hope; it's a deeply ingrained societal expectation and the foundation of the family structure.
Comparison to “To Count On”: In English, saying “I count on you” is often a neutral or positive statement of trust and confidence. In Chinese, using 指望 (zhǐwàng) can feel heavier. It can imply that the speaker is in a position of weakness or lacks the ability to solve the problem themselves, thus placing the burden entirely on the other person. The phrase “我就指望你了” (Wǒ jiù zhǐwàng nǐ le), “I'm counting on you,” can convey a sense of desperation or that you are their last resort, making it carry more weight than the casual English equivalent.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Expressing Futility (Most Common): The most frequent use of 指望 (zhǐwàng) is in the negative, to tell someone (or oneself) not to rely on an unreliable source. It's a pragmatic and often blunt way of managing expectations.
e.g., 别指望老板会给你加工资，他很小气。 (Bié zhǐwàng lǎobǎn huì gěi nǐ jiā gōngzī, tā hěn xiǎoqì.) - “Don't count on the boss giving you a raise; he's very stingy.”
Placing a Burden or Responsibility: It's used to articulate a heavy sense of dependency, common in family or team contexts. This usage is not necessarily negative but highlights the weight of the expectation.
e.g., 我们全家都指望你考上大学。 (Wǒmen quánjiā dōu zhǐwàng nǐ kǎo shàng dàxué.) - “Our whole family is counting on you to get into university.”
As a Noun for “Hope”:指望 (zhǐwàng) can also function as a noun, meaning “a source of hope” or “the prospect of a good outcome.”
e.g., 他是我们村唯一的指望。 (Tā shì wǒmen cūn wéiyī de zhǐwàng.) - “He is our village's only hope.”
Example Sentences
Example 1:
你别指望他了，他每次都迟到。
Pinyin: Nǐ bié zhǐwàng tā le, tā měi cì dōu chídào.
English: Stop counting on him; he's late every time.
Analysis: This is a classic negative usage. It's not just a suggestion but a strong piece of advice to dismiss him as a reliable option.
Example 2:
我唯一的指望就是孩子们能健康成长。
Pinyin: Wǒ wéiyī de zhǐwàng jiùshì háizimen néng jiànkāng chéngzhǎng.
English: My only hope is that my children can grow up healthy.
Analysis: Here, 指望 is used as a noun. It shows that the speaker's core hope and life prospect is focused on their children's well-being.
Example 3:
这点钱根本不够，下个月只能指望奖金了。
Pinyin: Zhè diǎn qián gēnběn bùgòu, xià ge yuè zhǐ néng zhǐwàng jiǎngjīn le.
English: This bit of money isn't nearly enough; next month I can only count on my bonus.
Analysis: This sentence expresses a situation of dependency. The speaker has no other choice but to rely on a future, uncertain event (the bonus).
English: I'm counting on you to keep your promise this time.
Analysis: This is a neutral-to-serious usage. The tone implies that the person may have broken promises before, so this is a direct statement of expectation and reliance.
Example 10:
投资失败后，他觉得生活没有指望了。
Pinyin: Tóuzī shībài hòu, tā juédé shēnghuó méiyǒu zhǐwàng le.
English: After his investment failed, he felt that life had no hope.
Analysis: Used as a noun to mean “prospect” or “hope for the future.” Losing one's 指望 is a common way to express despair or hopelessness.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`指望` (zhǐwàng) vs. `希望` (xīwàng): This is the most important distinction for a learner.
`希望` (xīwàng) is a general “hope” or “wish.” It's internal and doesn't require a specific target of dependency.
Correct: 我希望世界和平。(Wǒ xīwàng shìjiè hépíng.) - I hope for world peace.
Incorrect: 我指望世界和平。 (This sounds strange, as you can't “count on” the world to deliver peace in the same way you'd count on a person.)
`指望` (zhǐwàng) is a hope aimed at a specific agent (person, plan, thing) that you are relying on to act.
Correct: 我指望你明天能来帮忙。(Wǒ zhǐwàng nǐ míngtiān néng lái bāngmáng.) - I'm counting on you to come help tomorrow.
Incorrect: 我希望你明天能来帮忙。 (Grammatically okay, but much weaker. It means “I hope you can come,” but doesn't convey the same sense of “I'm relying on you.”)
The Negative Connotation: While not always negative, be aware that 指望 (zhǐwàng) often appears in contexts of disappointment or futility. Saying “别指望了” (Bié zhǐwàng le) is a very common and definitive way to say “Forget it,” or “There's no hope of that.” It's much stronger than “I don't think so.”
Related Terms and Concepts
希望 (xīwàng) - The general word for “hope” or “wish.” Less specific and without the strong sense of dependency.
期望 (qīwàng) - Expectation or hope, often in a more formal sense, like a teacher's expectation for a student or a company's for an employee.
依靠 (yīkào) - To rely on or depend on for physical, emotional, or financial support. More about sustained support than a specific outcome.
依赖 (yīlài) - To be dependent on something, often with a negative connotation of being overly needy or addicted.
盼望 (pànwàng) - To look forward to, to yearn for. More emotional and filled with eager anticipation than 指望.
靠谱 (kàopǔ) - (Adj.) Reliable, trustworthy. The quality of a person or thing that you can指望.
没戏 (méixì) - (Slang) No chance, it's a wash. The likely result when you 指望 something unreliable.
奢望 (shēwàng) - An extravagant hope; a wish that is unrealistic or that one doesn't deserve.