情愿

• Pinyin: qíng yuàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 情 = 忄+ 青 (emotion); 愿 = 原 + 心 (wish)

Meaning

To be willing; would rather; to prefer. As an adverb, willingly or preferring to.

Expresses voluntary willingness or preference, often when making a choice between alternatives. Implies accepting something difficult if it means achieving a preferred outcome.

Examples

1. 她情愿放弃高薪也要追求梦想。 She’d rather give up a high salary to pursue her dream.
2. 我情愿自己吃苦也不想连累家人。 I’d rather suffer myself than drag my family into it.
3. 他情愿步行也不愿挤公交车。 He’d rather walk than squeeze onto a crowded bus.

Usage Guide

Context: choices, sacrifices, preferences

Tone: determined

Do Say

• 他情愿牺牲休息时间也要完成任务。(He would rather sacrifice his rest time to complete the task.)
• 我情愿相信他说的是真话。(I am willing to believe that what he said is true.)

Don't Say

• 我不情愿高兴 — 情愿 expresses preference/willingness, use 不想 for not wanting to be happy

Origin & History

情 (emotion/feeling) + 愿 (wish/willing)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal