kei3 mong6冀望
Jyutpingkei3 mong6
Yalekei mohng
Definition
To hope for, look forward to, or long for.
writtenother
How it's used
This word carries a more formal and literary tone compared to the everyday word 希望. It is rarely used in casual spoken Cantonese and is mostly found in written contexts, formal speeches, or news reports. Using it in a conversation with friends will sound overly dramatic or stiff.
Examples
I hope they can come back soon.
Is what you are hoping for very hard to achieve?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common verb because it sounds similar to other two-character verbs, but it is actually quite formal. Stick to 希望 for daily interactions to avoid sounding unnatural.
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.
