许愿 xǔyuàn to make a wish
to make a wish; to make a vow; to promise a reward
How to remember 许愿: 许 allow + 愿 wish = to make a wish.
Characters
How it is used
- To make a wish - 对着流星许愿 (duìzhe liúxīng xǔyuàn) to make a wish on a shooting star; 生日许愿 (shēngrì xǔyuàn) a birthday wish.
- Verb-object (许+愿), splits: 许个愿 (xǔ ge yuàn) make a wish. Also covers vowing to a deity in exchange for a favor.
- Don't confuse the wish (愿望 yuànwàng, the thing wished for) with the act 许愿 (making it).