lei5 soeng2理想
Jyutpinglei5 soeng2
Yaleléih séung
Definition
An aspiration, dream, ideal, or vision for the future that is relatively realistic and achievable.
neutralpeoplework
How it's used
Distinguish this from 夢想 by focusing on the feasibility of the goal. While 夢想 often carries a sense of romanticism or something distant and hard to reach, 理想 is viewed as a concrete, actionable target that one actively works toward. It is frequently used in professional or academic contexts to describe one's career path or life direction.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
What was your aspiration when you were a kid?
He works very hard every day to achieve his dream.
Related words
Common phrases
to realize one's dream
to pursue one's aspiration
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a fantasy or a wild wish, as that would be 夢想. Using 理想 for something impossible can sound overly serious or even sarcastic.
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.
