但愿

dàn yuàn

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Common

Definitions

1 item

wishing one could do sth

expresses an urgent wish that cannot be realized, similar to 'if only'

1 item

to wish for

both express a wish, but 但愿 is often used for wishes contrary to fact or with less certainty

Avoid using 但愿 for probable or factual wishes; use 希望 instead for realistic hopes.

但愿 is somewhat formal and often used in fixed expressions or literary contexts, less common in casual speech.

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但愿明天不要下雨。

I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

if only it were so

but; yet; however; still

to hope