qīwàng: 期望 - Expectation, Hope

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• Summary: Discover the meaning of 期望 (qīwàng), a fundamental Chinese word that blends 'hope' with 'expectation'. More than a simple wish, `期望` represents a deep-seated, often formal, anticipation for a future outcome, commonly used in the context of parental hopes, personal goals, and professional objectives. This guide breaks down its cultural significance, practical usage, and key differences from similar words like `希望 (xīwàng)`, providing a crucial insight into Chinese culture and communication.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): qīwàng
• Part of Speech: Noun / Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To expect or hope for; an expectation or hope.
• In a Nutshell: `期望` is a forward-looking term that combines a hopeful desire with a rational expectation. Think of it as a “well-founded hope.” It's more formal and carries more weight than a simple wish. It implies that you have a reason to believe something should happen—because of effort, investment, or a specific role (like a parent or a manager).

• 期 (qī): This character means “a period of time,” “a phase,” or “to anticipate.” You see it in words like `日期 (rìqī)` for “date” and `学期 (xuéqī)` for “school term/semester.” It sets the foundation of looking towards a future point in time.
• 望 (wàng): This character means “to gaze,” “to look from a distance,” or “to hope.” It paints a picture of someone looking out towards the horizon, full of longing and anticipation.

When combined, 期望 (qīwàng) literally translates to “anticipating and gazing towards.” This powerful image captures the essence of the word: a focused, hopeful look into the future for a specific outcome.

In Chinese culture, `期望` is a word with significant weight, especially within the family. The concept of parental `期望` is a cornerstone of family dynamics. It is best exemplified by the famous idiom 望子成龙 (wàng zǐ chéng lóng), which means “to hope one's son becomes a dragon”—a symbol of ultimate success and achievement. This is not a passive wish but a deeply held expectation tied to core cultural values:

• Filial Piety (`孝顺 xiàoshùn`): Children are often expected to fulfill their parents' `期望` as a way of repaying them for their upbringing and sacrifices.
• Family Honor (`面子 miànzi`): A child's success (or failure) directly reflects on the entire family's social standing or “face.” Fulfilling parental `期望` brings honor to the family.
• Collectivism: The success of the individual is seen as contributing to the strength and prosperity of the collective family unit.

Contrast with Western Culture: While Western parents certainly have hopes for their children, the cultural emphasis is often on individual happiness and “following your passion.” In contrast, the traditional Chinese `期望` is often more specific and pragmatic: secure a stable, high-paying job, get into a good university, marry well, and have children. While this is changing in modern China, the underlying cultural pressure of `期望` remains a powerful social force.

`期望` is a versatile word used in various formal and semi-formal contexts.

• In the Family: This is its most common and emotionally charged context. Parents express their `期望` for their children's academic performance, career, and life choices.
  • `父母对孩子的期望很高。` (Fùmǔ duì háizi de qīwàng hěn gāo.) - “Parents have high expectations for their children.”
• In the Workplace: Managers use `期望` to set goals and define performance standards for their employees. It's a formal way to talk about business objectives.
  • `公司对这个季度的销售额有很高的期望。` (Gōngsī duì zhège jìdù de xiāoshòu'é yǒu hěn gāo de qīwàng.) - “The company has high expectations for this quarter's sales figures.”
• For Personal Goals: You can use it to talk about your own serious aspirations. It shows determination.
  • `我对自己今年的期望是存下一万块钱。` (Wǒ duì zìjǐ jīnnián de qīwàng shì cún xià yíwàn kuài qián.) - “My expectation for myself this year is to save 10,000 yuan.”
• Connotation: The word is generally neutral but can become negative if the expectations are seen as burdensome or unrealistic. `期望太高` (qīwàng tài gāo - expectations are too high) is a common phrase expressing this pressure.

• Example 1:
  • 父母对我的期望就是我能找到一份好工作。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ duì wǒ de qīwàng jiùshì wǒ néng zhǎodào yí fèn hǎo gōngzuò.
  • English: My parents' expectation for me is just that I can find a good job.
  • Analysis: A classic example of familial `期望` used as a noun. It's presented as a reasonable and core hope.
• Example 2:
  • 老师期望每个学生都能按时完成作业。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī qīwàng měi ge xuéshēng dōu néng ànshí wánchéng zuòyè.
  • English: The teacher expects every student to be able to finish their homework on time.
  • Analysis: Here, `期望` is used as a verb. It's a formal expectation based on the teacher-student relationship.
• Example 3:
  • 这次考试的结果没有达到我的期望。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì kǎoshì de jiéguǒ méiyǒu dádào wǒ de qīwàng.
  • English: The results of this exam did not meet my expectations.
  • Analysis: Shows how `期望` is used to measure outcomes. `达到期望` (dádào qīwàng - to meet expectations) is a very common collocation.
• Example 4:
  • 我期望我们的合作能取得成功。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ qīwàng wǒmen de hézuò néng qǔdé chénggōng.
  • English: I expect that our collaboration can achieve success.
  • Analysis: A formal and optimistic sentence used in a business or professional context. It's more than a wish; it's a hopeful projection based on the joint effort of collaboration.
• Example 5:
  • 不要对别人有太高的期望，这样你就不会失望。
  • Pinyin: Búyào duì biérén yǒu tài gāo de qīwàng, zhèyàng nǐ jiù bú huì shīwàng.
  • English: Don't have overly high expectations for other people, then you won't be disappointed.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses `期望` to give life advice, directly linking it to its antonym, `失望` (shīwàng - disappointment).
• Example 6:
  • 他的表现超出了所有人的期望。
  • Pinyin: Tā de biǎoxiàn chāochū le suǒyǒu rén de qīwàng.
  • English: His performance exceeded everyone's expectations.
  • Analysis: `超出期望` (chāochū qīwàng) means “to exceed expectations.” This is a very positive and common phrase.
• Example 7:
  • 作为队长，他身上背负着全队的期望。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi duìzhǎng, tā shēnshang bēifù zhe quán duì de qīwàng.
  • English: As the team captain, he carries the expectations of the entire team.
  • Analysis: `背负期望` (bēifù qīwàng) means “to shoulder/carry expectations,” highlighting the sense of responsibility and pressure associated with the word.
• Example 8:
  • 我期望你能够言而有信。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ qīwàng nǐ nénggòu yán'éryǒuxìn.
  • English: I expect you to be true to your word.
  • Analysis: A serious use of `期望` as a verb, expressing a moral or ethical expectation of someone's character. It's much stronger than saying “I hope you keep your promise.”
• Example 9:
  • 结果与我们最初的期望有很大的差距。
  • Pinyin: Jiéguǒ yǔ wǒmen zuìchū de qīwàng yǒu hěn dà de chājù.
  • English: The result has a large gap with our initial expectations.
  • Analysis: Used in a formal review or analysis. `差距` (chājù - gap, disparity) is often used with `期望` to describe a shortfall.
• Example 10:
  • 我们满怀期望地等待着新产品的发布。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen mǎnhuái qīwàng de děngdài zhe xīn chǎnpǐn de fābù.
  • English: We are waiting with great expectation for the new product launch.
  • Analysis: `满怀期望` (mǎnhuái qīwàng) is a set phrase meaning “to be full of expectation,” emphasizing a strong, positive, and hopeful feeling.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between `期望 (qīwàng)` and `希望 (xīwàng)`. They both translate to “hope,” but are not interchangeable. `期望 (qīwàng)` vs. `希望 (xīwàng)`

• `希望 (xīwàng)` - A General Hope/Wish:
  • This is the common, everyday word for “hope.” It expresses a simple desire. It can be used for things you have no control over. It's less formal.
  • Correct: 我希望明天不要下雨。(Wǒ xīwàng míngtiān búyào xiàyǔ.) - I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow. (A general wish).
  • Correct: 我希望我能中彩票。(Wǒ xīwàng wǒ néng zhòng cǎipiào.) - I hope I can win the lottery. (A pure wish).
• `期望 (qīwàng)` - A Grounded Expectation:
  • This implies a rational basis for your hope. There's a reason you expect it to happen (e.g., effort, investment, role, responsibility). It's more formal and serious.
  • Correct: 父母期望我考上好大学。(Fùmǔ qīwàng wǒ kǎoshàng hǎo dàxué.) - My parents expect me to get into a good university. (Based on their investment and my studies).
  • Incorrect/Awkward: 父母希望我考上好大学。 (This is grammatically correct, but sounds weak. It downplays the seriousness of the parental expectation. `期望` is much more natural here.)
  • Incorrect/Awkward: 我期望明天不要下雨。(Wǒ qīwàng míngtiān búyào xiàyǔ.) (This sounds strange, as if you have some power or serious reason to *expect* the weather to obey. `希望` is correct.)

Rule of Thumb: If it's a simple wish or a general hope, use `希望`. If it's a serious, grounded expectation tied to a role, effort, or goal, use `期望`.

• 希望 (xīwàng) - The most direct synonym, but more general, more common, and less formal. It's a “wish” versus an “expectation.”
• 期待 (qīdài) - To look forward to, to anticipate. Very similar to `期望`, but often emphasizes the positive, excited feeling of anticipation rather than the expected outcome itself.
• 失望 (shīwàng) - The direct antonym: “to lose hope,” disappointment. The feeling you get when a `期望` is not met.
• 盼望 (pànwàng) - To long for, to yearn for. This is more emotional and eager than `期望`, implying a deep and prolonged desire.
• 指望 (zhǐwàng) - To count on, to rely on. Implies dependence. Often used in the negative to mean “don't count on…” (`别指望我了` - Búyào zhǐwàng wǒ le).
• 要求 (yāoqiú) - A demand, a requirement. This is much stronger than `期望`. A `要求` is a mandatory instruction, whereas a `期望` is a strong hope that something *should* happen.
• 望子成龙 (wàng zǐ chéng lóng) - A classic idiom, “to hope one's son becomes a dragon,” that perfectly encapsulates the cultural weight of parental `期望`.