渴望 (kěwàng) — Yearn for, long for, crave

渴望 (kěwàng)

渴望 expresses a deep, intense desire or longing for something -- much stronger than simply wanting. It conveys an emotional urgency comparable to physical thirst.

Meanings

1. [verb] to yearn for; to long for; to crave; to thirst for
2. [noun] yearning; longing; strong desire

Example Sentences

她渴望有一天能够环游世界，探索不同的文化。 Tā kěwàng yǒu yītiān nénggòu huányóu shìjiè, tànsuǒ bùtóng de wénhuà. She yearns for the day she can travel around the world and explore different cultures.

孩子们渴望父母的陪伴和关爱。 Háizimenrén kěwàng fùmǔ de péibàn hé guān'ài. Children deeply long for their parents' company and affection.

他对知识的渴望驱使他不断学习新事物。 Tā duì zhīshi de kěwàng qūshǐ tā bùduàn xuéxí xīn shìwù. His thirst for knowledge drives him to constantly learn new things.

经过多年的努力，她终于实现了自己渴望已久的梦想。 Jīngguò duō nián de nǔlì, tā zhōngyú shíxiànle zìjǐ kěwàng yǐ jiǔ de mèngxiǎng. After years of hard work, she finally achieved the dream she had long yearned for.

人们普遍渴望和平与稳定的生活环境。 Rénmen pǔbiàn kěwàng hépíng yǔ wěndìng de shēnghuó huánjìng. People generally yearn for a peaceful and stable living environment.

他的眼神中流露出对自由的强烈渴望。 Tā de yǎnshén zhōng liúlùchū duì zìyóu de qiángliè kěwàng. His eyes revealed an intense longing for freedom.

Collocations

Usage Notes

渴望 is emotionally stronger than 希望 (xīwàng, hope/wish) and 想要 (xiǎngyào, want). The character 渴 literally means "thirsty" (water radical + 曷), emphasizing the urgency and intensity of the desire -- like being physically parched and desperate for water.

渴望 can take a noun or a verb phrase as its object: 渴望自由 (yearn for freedom), 渴望成功 (long for success), or 渴望能见到你 (long to see you). It is used in both literary and everyday contexts, though it carries a more emotional and formal register than simply saying 想 (want).

Memory Hook

渴 = thirsty (the desperation of physical thirst), 望 = look/hope -- like being thirsty and desperately looking for water -- to intensely yearn for something.