志愿

• 拼音: zhì yuàn
• 汉字拆解: 志 = 士 (scholar) + 心 (heart), ambition of the heart; 愿 = 原 (source) + 心 (heart), a heartfelt wish

含义

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.'

例句

1. 高考结束后，他开始填报志愿。
2. 她的志愿是当一名医生。
3. 很多年轻人参加了志愿服务活动。

用法指南

语境: education, volunteering, career

语气: aspirational

正确说法

• 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.)

错误说法

• 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)

起源与历史

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

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal