daan6 jyun6但願但愿
Jyutpingdaan6 jyun6
Yaledaahn yuhn
Definition
To only wish or hope.
neutralemotion
How it's used
Expresses a sincere, often slightly wistful or longing desire for a specific outcome. It carries a more literary or poetic weight compared to the more common and direct hope expressed by using 希望. You will frequently hear it in song lyrics or when someone is expressing a heartfelt wish for the future.
Examples
I just hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.
I only hope they can get home earlier.
Related words
Common phrases
I hope so
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual, everyday requests where you would simply use 希望. Using 但願 for mundane tasks like asking for a cup of coffee sounds overly dramatic or archaic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
