zi2 mong6指望
Jyutpingzi2 mong6
Yalejí mohng
Definition
To hope, wish, or look forward to.
colloquialemotiondaily actions
How it's used
Carries a sense of reliance or pinning one's hopes on a specific outcome, often when the situation is already difficult or uncertain. It frequently appears in negative or skeptical contexts where the speaker doubts the outcome will actually happen. Unlike the more neutral 希望, this word implies a degree of desperation or dependency on an external factor.
Examples
I am only hoping to get off work early now.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use this as a direct synonym for hope in all contexts, but it sounds unnatural when expressing simple desires or positive expectations. Avoid using it for everyday wishes like hoping for good weather, as it implies a heavy, dependent expectation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
