Meaning of 志愿
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- aspiration
- ambition
- to volunteer
How to use 志愿
志愿 is used for a wish or aspiration, especially in set phrases like 志愿者 (zhìyuànzhě, volunteer) and 志愿服务 (volunteer service). It also names the list of school or major choices students fill in for the college entrance exam. Example: 我想当志愿者。 (Wǒ xiǎng dāng zhìyuànzhě.) I want to be a volunteer.
志 (zhì) has 心 (xīn, heart) at the bottom, so think of a goal your heart is set on. 愿 (yuàn) also has 心 underneath, a heartfelt wish, so 志愿 is what your heart truly wants to do.
Common mistake: Learners often say 我是志愿 to mean "I am a volunteer," but the person is 志愿者 (zhìyuànzhě), not 志愿. Also do not confuse 愿 (yuàn) with 原 (yuán, original). 愿 has 心 at the bottom.
志愿 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.
志 zhì · determination · 7 strokes
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愿 yuàn · wish · 14 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 志愿.
| 愿意 | yuànyì | to wish; to want |
| 杂志 | zázhì | magazine |
| 愿望 | yuànwàng | desire; wish |
| 志愿者 | zhìyuànzhě | volunteer |
| 标志 | biāozhì | sign; mark; symbol; logo; to symbolize; to indicate; to mark |
| 意志 | yìzhì | will; willpower; determination |
| 自愿 | zìyuàn | voluntary |
| 意愿 | yìyuàn | aspiration; wish (for) |
| 心愿 | xīnyuàn | cherished desire; dream |
| 祝愿 | zhùyuàn | to wish |
| 同志 | tóngzhì | comrade; (slang) homosexual |
| 宁愿 | nìngyuàn | would rather ... (than ...) |
Questions about 志愿
What does 志愿 mean?
志愿 (zhìyuàn) means "aspiration; ambition" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 志愿?
志愿 is made of 2 characters: 志 (7 strokes), 愿 (14 strokes). That is 21 strokes in total.
Is 志愿 an HSK word?
Yes. 志愿 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 志愿 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 志愿 is written 志願.
What is the difference between 志愿 and 愿望?
愿望 (yuànwàng) is a general wish or desire, like a birthday wish. 志愿 is more serious and long term, like a life goal or a chosen path, and it is also linked to volunteering.
What does 填志愿 mean?
填志愿 (tián zhìyuàn) means to fill in your list of preferred universities and majors after the college entrance exam in China. Here 志愿 refers to each ranked choice, as in 第一志愿 (first choice).