一厢情愿
一厢情愿 (yī xiāng qíng yuàn) literally means “one side's wishful feeling” and expresses “wishful thinking; one-sided assumption”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: yi xiang qing yuan, yi xiang qing yuan,一厢情愿 meaning, 一厢情愿 in english
Wishful thinking; one-sided assumption
Pronunciation: yī xiāng qíng yuàn
Literal meaning: One side's wishful feeling
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes feelings or wishes (情愿) from only one side (一厢). It depicts expectations that exist only in one party's mind without reciprocation or basis in reality. The phrase appeared in texts describing unrequited feelings and unfounded assumptions. It warns against projecting one's desires onto situations without evidence. Modern usage describes wishful thinking, one-sided assumptions, or expectations not grounded in mutual agreement or reality.
Examples
English: "His belief that she would agree was just wishful thinking."
Chinese: 他认为她会同意，不过是一厢情愿。
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Travel a great distance
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 一厢情愿 mean in English?
一厢情愿 (yī xiāng qíng yuàn) literally translates to “One side's wishful feeling” and is used to express “Wishful thinking; one-sided assumption”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 一厢情愿 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving wishful thinking; one-sided assumption.
What is the pinyin for 一厢情愿?
The pinyin pronunciation for 一厢情愿 is “yī xiāng qíng yuàn”.