jyun6願愿

Jyutpingjyun6

Yaleyuhn

動詞Common

Definition

To hope, wish, or desire; to have a preference for how something turns out.

neutralemotiondaily actions

How it's used

While 願 is used in formal writing or poetic contexts to express a wish, in everyday spoken Cantonese, it is much more common to use 希望 or 想. Using 願 in casual conversation can sound overly dramatic or literary, similar to how one might use 'would that' or 'I pray' in English. It is most frequently encountered in the set phrase 願唔願意 when asking for someone's consent or willingness to do something.

Examples

ngo5我jyun6願nei5你ji5以hau6後sang1生wut6活hoi1開sam1心。

I wish for you to have a happy life from now on.

nei5你jyun6願m4唔jyun6願ji3意tung4同ngo5我jat1一cai4齊heoi3去？

Are you willing to go with me?

Common phrases

jyun6願m4唔jyun6願ji3意

willing or not

daan6但jyun6願

if only; I wish

Common mistake

Learners often confuse 願 with 希望. Remember that 願 carries a sense of personal willingness or a solemn wish, whereas 希望 is the standard, neutral way to express hope for a future outcome.