ho2 mong6 ji4 bat1 ho2 zik1可望而不可即
Definition
Visible but unreachable; describing something that can be seen but is difficult to approach or realize.
How it's used
This idiom is a formal literary expression often used in casual conversation to describe something that feels tantalizingly close yet impossible to obtain. It carries a sense of resignation or longing, frequently applied to abstract goals, high status, or unattainable romantic interests. Because it is a four-character idiom, it adds a touch of sophistication or dramatic flair to a sentence.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of physical distance, but it is almost exclusively used for abstract concepts like dreams, success, or social status. Do not use it to describe a physical object that is simply far away, such as a distant mountain or a building.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
