渴望

• Pinyin: kě wàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 渴 = 氵(water) + 曷 (why/how), indicating thirst; 望 = 亡 + 月 + 王, meaning to look into distance/hope

Meaning

To long for; to yearn for; to crave. Intense desire for something.

Expresses a deep, sometimes urgent desire for something, whether abstract (freedom, love, success) or concrete (water when thirsty). Stronger and more emotional than simply 'wanting' (想要). Common in literary and emotional contexts.

Examples

1. 他渴望得到父亲的认可和关爱。 He longs for his father's recognition and love.
2. 经过漫长的沙漠跋涉，他们渴望一杯清水。 After a long journey through the desert, they craved a glass of clean water.
3. 年轻人渴望自由和独立的生活。 Young people yearn for freedom and an independent life.

Usage Guide

Context: literary, emotional, aspirational

Tone: earnest

Do Say

• 每个人都渴望被爱。(Everyone longs to be loved.)
• 她渴望成功的心情可以理解。(Her longing for success is understandable.)

Don't Say

• 我渴望喝杯咖啡。(For casual wants like coffee, 想 is better — 渴望 is for deep desires)

Origin & History

渴 (kě, thirsty) + 望 (wàng, hope/look toward). The combination evokes the intense feeling of thirsting for something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal