渴望

kě wàng

to thirst for

HSK 6

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"渴望" means to strongly desire or long for something, often something intangible like success, love, or freedom. It conveys a deep emotional yearning, similar to the English phrase "to thirst for."

Common Contexts

This word is frequently used in formal or literary contexts to express intense hopes or desires. It often appears with abstract nouns like "成功" (success), "自由" (freedom), or "" (care/love).

Collocations

  • 渴望成功: to thirst for success, used when someone strongly wants to achieve something.
  • 渴望自由: to long for freedom, expressing a desire to be unrestrained.
  • 渴望: to long to obtain, often followed by something desired.

Nuances

Using 渴望 implies a stronger, more emotional desire than simply or 希望. It often suggests a deep inner need or passion. Avoid confusing it with (thirsty) alone, which is literal thirst; 渴望 is metaphorical and emotional.

Summary

Use 渴望 when you want to express a powerful, heartfelt longing for something important or meaningful in life.

Example Sentences

他渴望成功,所以每天都努力工作。

Tā kěwàng chénggōng, suǒyǐ měitiān dōu nǔlì gōngzuò.

He thirsts for success, so he works hard every day.

孩子们渴望得到父母的关爱。

Háizimen kěwàng dédào fùmǔ de guān'ài.

Children long for their parents' love and care.

她渴望自由,不想被束缚。

Tā kěwàng zìyóu, bù xiǎng bèi shùfù.

She longs for freedom and does not want to be restrained.