Back to all idioms

一厢情愿(一廂情願)

yī xiāng qíng yuànLife Philosophy

一厢情愿 (yī xiāng qíng yuàn) literally meansone side's wishful feelingand expresseswishful thinking; one-sided assumption”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.

Also searched as: yi xiang qing yuan, yi xiang qing yuan,一厢情愿 meaning, 一厢情愿 in english

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.

When to Use

Situation: His belief that she would agree was just wishful thinking.


Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.

Related Chinese Idioms

Similar idioms about life philosophy

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 一厢情愿 mean in English?

一厢情愿 (yī xiāng qíng yuàn) literally translates toOne side's wishful feelingand is used to expressWishful thinking; one-sided assumption”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theLife Philosophy category..

When is 一厢情愿 used?

Situation: His belief that she would agree was just wishful thinking.

What is the pinyin for 一厢情愿?

The pinyin pronunciation for 一厢情愿 isyī xiāng qíng yuàn”.