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Chinese/Meaning of the characters

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Expert: Terry Thatcher Waltz - 1/8/2008


Question
Hi! Could you please explain the meaning of these two characters - "ke3 wang4" - "渴 望". What do they mean together and each one alone? Thank you!

Answer
It just means "to hope" -- a somewhat stronger meaning than the usual "xi1wang4". ke3 is 'thirsty' in the combination kou3ke3; wang4 is a bound form (does not occur alone in modern Chinese) meaning something like 'looking into the distance', 'hoping', 'expecting' or even 'towards'.

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Terry Thatcher Waltz

Expertise

I specialize in Chinese technical translation and conference interpretation, and terminology. I can answer questions about these topics, Chinese language pedagogy and learning issues, Chinese grammar for learners, and general issue related to Taiwan.

Experience

Full-time translator and conference interpreter since 1987; long-time resident of Taiwan. Qualified State Dept. language contractor (interpreter and translator) with extensive government and private sector experience.

Organizations
American Translators Association; The Translators' and Interpreters' Guild; ATA Interpreters' Division; ATA Chinese Division.

Publications
AIIC (International Association of Conference Interpreters) website

Education/Credentials
Ph.D., Chinese; MA, Conference Interpreting

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