指望

• Pinyin: zhǐ wàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 指 = 扌+ 旨 (point); 望 = 月 + 王 + 亡 (look toward — gazing at the moon)

Meaning

To count on; to hope for or expect. Also a noun meaning expectation or hope.

Often used in negative or doubtful contexts: 别指望 (don't count on), 不能指望 (can't rely on). As a noun, it refers to hope or prospects: 他是全家的指望 (he is the family's hope). Implies dependence on someone or something.

Examples

1. 别指望他会主动帮忙，你还是自己想办法吧。 Don’t count on him to offer help on his own—you’d better figure it out yourself.
2. 父母把全部指望都寄托在这个唯一的孩子身上。 The parents pinned all their hopes on their only child.
3. 在困难时期，人们指望政府出台有力的扶持政策。 In difficult times, people look to the government to roll out strong support policies.

Usage Guide

Context: expectation, dependence, hope

Tone: hopeful or doubtful

Do Say

• 这点小生意是他们全家的指望，不能有任何闪失。(This small business is the family's entire hope — nothing can go wrong.)
• 你指望天上掉馅饼是不现实的，还是脚踏实地努力吧。(It's unrealistic to expect pie falling from the sky — work hard with your feet on the ground.)

Don't Say

• 我指望明天是晴天 — for weather hopes, use 希望; 指望 implies relying on someone/something for a specific outcome

Origin & History

指 (point toward) + 望 (hope/look toward)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal