hei1 mong6希望

Jyutpinghei1 mong6

Yalehēi mohng

名詞Very common

Definition

To hope, wish, or desire; a hope, wish, or aspiration.

to hope; to wish; to desire
hope; wish; aspiration

neutralemotion

How it's used

While used in both formal and informal contexts, it often carries a slightly more serious or reflective tone than the more common spoken word 諗住. It is frequently paired with verbs like 寄託 or 落空 to describe the emotional weight of an expectation. Unlike Mandarin where it is a very common verb, Cantonese speakers often prefer using phrases like 好想 or 睇吓有無機會 when expressing personal desires in casual conversation.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

ngo5我hou2好jau5有hei1希mong6望ho2可ji5以haau2考dou3到jap6入daai6大hok6學。

I have high hopes of getting into university.

nei5你zung6仲jau5有mou5冇hei1希mong6望heoi3去leoi5旅hang4行aa3呀？

Do you still have any hope of going on a trip?

Common phrases

hei1希mong6望lok6落hung1空

hopes dashed

cung1充mun5滿hei1希mong6望

full of hope

Common mistake

Learners often use it as a direct verb for 'I hope that...' in casual speech, but it sounds stiff. In daily life, it is more natural to use 唔該 or 最好 to express a wish or preference.