但愿 dànyuàn if only (something were possible)
if only (something were possible); I wish (that)
How to remember 但愿: 但 but + 愿 wish = if only (something were possible).
Characters
How it is used
- 'If only / I wish' - expressing a hope - 但愿明天天气好 (dànyuàn míngtiān tiānqì hǎo) I hope the weather is good tomorrow.
- Sentence-initial, introducing a wish, often about things beyond one's control. 但愿如此 (dànyuàn rúcǐ) 'let's hope so'.
- Warmer and more heartfelt than plain 希望 (xīwàng, hope); carries a wistful 'may it be so' tone.
Example sentences
- 但愿我是一个好歌手。 Dànyuàn wǒ shì yígè hǎo gēshǒu.I wish I were a good singer.
- 但愿我能找到在我的博客上屏蔽评论的办法。 Dànyuàn wǒnéng zhǎodào zài wǒ de bókè shàng píngbì pínglùn de bànfǎ.I wish I could figure out how to disable comments on my blog.