仰望 (yǎngwàng) means to look up at or to admire something above, often with a sense of reverence or aspiration. This verb is commonly used in contexts where one expresses admiration for lofty ideals, such as heroes, goals, or the sky, conveying a sense of hope and inspiration.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
yǎngwàng(yang3wang4) T3
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
May 27, 2026
仰望yǎngwàng(yang3wang4)
仰望 (yǎngwàng) means to look up at or to admire something above, often with a sense of reverence or aspiration. This verb is commonly used in contexts where one expresses admiration for lofty ideals, such as heroes, goals, or the sky, conveying a sense of hope and inspiration.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of 仰望 often symbolizes the pursuit of higher ideals and the respect for those who have achieved great things, such as historical figures or cultural icons. This reflects a societal value placed on aspiration and reverence.
Memory Tip
Imagine standing on a hill, gazing up at a shining star, filled with dreams and aspirations. The character 仰 (yǎng), which means 'to look up,' resembles a person stretching their neck upwards, while 望 (wàng) suggests 'to gaze' or 'to hope.' Together, they evoke the image of reaching for something greater.
About 仰望
仰望Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 仰望
Podcast: 仰望
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 仰望
Quick Contrast
仰望 (yǎngwàng) vs 望 (wàng) — use 仰望 to emphasize admiration or reverence, while 望 is a more general term for looking or gazing.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine standing on a hill, gazing up at a shining star, filled with dreams and aspirations. The character 仰 (yǎng), which means 'to look up,' resembles a person stretching their neck upwards, while 望 (wàng) suggests 'to gaze' or 'to hope.' Together, they evoke the image of reaching for something greater.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 仰望 with 观看 (guānkàn), which means 'to watch' or 'to look at.' Remember that 仰望 carries a deeper connotation of admiration, while 观看 is more neutral. Use 仰望 in more formal contexts or when discussing aspirations and ideals.
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 7, focus on using 仰望 in complex sentences to express feelings of admiration. This word connects well with other vocabulary related to aspirations, such as 理想 (lǐxiǎng, ideal) and 目标 (mùbiāo, goal), allowing you to articulate your hopes and dreams in discussions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of 仰望 often symbolizes the pursuit of higher ideals and the respect for those who have achieved great things, such as historical figures or cultural icons. This reflects a societal value placed on aspiration and reverence.
Common Mistakes
Learners may mistakenly use 仰望 to describe a simple action of looking up, as in 'I looked up at the ceiling.' Instead, use 望 (wàng) for that context. Remember, 仰望 should convey a sense of admiration or aspiration.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 仰望
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 仰望 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 仰望 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 仰望
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of 仰望 often symbolizes the pursuit of higher ideals and the respect for those who have achieved great things, such as historical figures or cultural icons. This reflects a societal value placed on aspiration and reverence.
Frequently Asked Questions about 仰望
You can use 仰望 when discussing personal aspirations, such as looking up to a mentor or expressing admiration for a public figure.
While it's not commonly used in casual conversation, it can be effective in more formal discussions or literary contexts.
It emphasizes admiration and aspiration, unlike verbs like 看 (kàn) or 观察 (guānchá), which are more neutral.
