Meaning of 将来
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- in the future
- future
- the future
Measure word: 個|个
How to use 将来
将来 is a noun for the more distant future, often used for life plans, careers, and hopes. It usually comes before the verb or at the start of the sentence. Example: 我将来想当医生。(Wǒ jiānglái xiǎng dāng yīshēng.) I want to be a doctor in the future.
将 (jiāng) means "about to" or "going to," and 来 (lái) means "to come." Put them together and you get the time that is going to come: the future.
Common mistake: Learners often say 在将来 for "in the future," but 将来 alone already means that, so just say 我将来... In sentences, 来 here is often said with a light tone, but its full tone is second tone (lái), not fourth.
将来 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
将 jiāng · will · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
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- 9
来 lái · to come · 7 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 将来.
| 回来 | huílái | to return; to come back |
| 起来 | qǐlái | to stand up; to get up; also pr. [qi3lai2] |
| 出来 | chūlái | to come out; to appear |
| 进来 | jìnlái | to come in |
| 来到 | láidào | to arrive; to come |
| 过来 | guòlái | to come over; to manage |
| 带来 | dàilái | to bring; (fig.) to bring about; to produce |
| 来自 | láizì | to come from (a place); From: (in email header) |
| 原来 | yuánlái | original; former; originally; formerly; at first |
| 后来 | hòulái | afterwards; later; newly arrived |
| 接下来 | jiē xiàlái | to accept; to take |
| 越来越 | yuè lái yuè | more and more |
Questions about 将来
What does 将来 mean?
将来 (jiānglái) means "in the future; future" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 将来?
将来 is made of 2 characters: 将 (9 strokes), 来 (7 strokes). That is 16 strokes in total.
Is 将来 an HSK word?
Yes. 将来 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 将来 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 将来 is written 將來.
What is the difference between 将来 and 未来?
Both mean future. 将来 is more everyday and personal, like your own plans. 未来 (wèilái) sounds more formal or grand, as in 中国的未来 (the future of China), and can also describe things like 未来三天 (the next three days).
Can 将来 be used for something happening tomorrow?
Not usually. 将来 points to a vague or longer-term future. For soon or specific times, use words like 以后 (yǐhòu), 明天 (míngtiān), or 马上 (mǎshàng).