志愿

• Pinyin: zhì yuàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 志 = 士 (scholar) + 心 (heart), ambition of the heart; 愿 = 原 (source) + 心 (heart), a heartfelt wish

Meaning

Aspiration; wish; volunteer. Refers to a person's ambition or desired goal, and also used in the context of volunteering.

Has two main uses: (1) Personal aspiration or wish, especially regarding career or life goals (高考志愿, university application preferences). (2) Volunteering context (志愿服务, volunteer service). In education, 填志愿 (fill in preferences) is a critical step when choosing universities after the college entrance exam. Also used as an adjective meaning 'voluntary.'

Examples

1. 高考结束后，他开始填报志愿。 After the college entrance exam, he began filling in his university preferences.
2. 她的志愿是当一名医生。 Her aspiration is to become a doctor.
3. 很多年轻人参加了志愿服务活动。 Many young people participated in volunteer service activities.

Usage Guide

Context: education, volunteering, career

Tone: aspirational

Do Say

• 他的第一志愿是北京大学。(His first choice is Peking University.)
• 我们开展了一次志愿活动。(We organised a volunteer event.)

Don't Say

• 我志愿吃晚饭。(Don't use 志愿 for everyday choices — it refers to serious aspirations or volunteer commitments; say 想 or 打算 for simple wishes)

Origin & History

志 (will, ambition) + 愿 (wish, willing). Together they mean 'wished ambition,' referring to a personal aspiration or voluntary commitment.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal