意愿

• Pinyin: yì yuàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 意 = 心 (heart) + 音 (sound), meaning thought/intention; 愿 = 原 (origin) + 心 (heart), meaning wish

Meaning

Intention; wish; desire; willingness. Refers to one's inner desire or aspiration to do something.

A formal word emphasizing personal volition and subjective desire. Common collocations: 个人意愿 (personal wishes), 主观意愿 (subjective intention), 强烈意愿 (strong desire), 违背意愿 (against one's will). More formal than 想法 (idea) or 愿望 (wish).

Examples

1. 公司应该尊重员工的个人意愿，不能强迫加班。 Companies should respect employees' personal wishes and not force overtime.
2. 这份合同完全是双方真实意愿的表达。 This contract is a genuine expression of both parties' intentions.
3. 她有强烈的意愿去国外深造，家人也很支持。 She has a strong desire to study abroad, and her family is very supportive.

Usage Guide

Context: business, legal, personal decisions

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 这完全出于我的个人意愿。(This is entirely my personal wish.)
• 我们要尊重当事人的意愿。(We should respect the wishes of the parties involved.)

Don't Say

• 我的意愿是吃火锅 — 日常场合用'想'或'想要'更自然，意愿偏正式

Origin & History

Compound of 意 (thought, intention) + 愿 (wish, desire). Together meaning one's heartfelt wish or intention.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal