wish
gb/wˈɪʃ/ us/wˈɪʃ/
A2
English
~ 2600
szeretné, ha, kíván, kívánság, vágy, bárcsak
VERB
A2
1
szeretné, ha
A2
kíván
B1
Usage pattern:
to wish [something] would/could happen
I wish I could travel more often.
Szeretnék gyakrabban utazni.
She wishes it would stop raining.
Azt szeretné, ha elállna az eső.
They wished for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
He wished he had studied harder for the exam.
Learner examples
I wish I had a dog.
Szeretném, ha lenne egy kutyám.
She wishes she could swim.
Szeretne tudni úszni.
We wish for a sunny day.
He wishes he could speak Spanish.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'wish' with 'hope'. Use 'wish' for situations that are unlikely or impossible, and 'hope' for possible future events.
Meaning
Want something to happen
Collocations
wish for peace
|wish you luck
|wish it were true
|wish away problems
Synonyms
hope (Often implies a stronger sense of expectation or likelihood than 'wish'.)
Antonyms
dread (Means to strongly fear or not want something to happen.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To want something to happen or be true, even if it may not happen.
To desire that something will occur or be the case, often without the power to make it happen.
NOUN
A2
2
Her only wish was to see her family again.
Az volt az egyetlen kívánsága, hogy újra láthassa a családját.
He made a wish before blowing out the candles.
Kívánt valamit, mielőtt elfújta a gyertyákat.
The charity works to grant wishes for sick children.
My wish is for everyone to be happy.
Learner examples
I have one wish.
Van egy kívánságom.
Her wish is to be a teacher.
Az a vágya, hogy tanár legyen.
He made a wish at the fountain.
My wish is to visit Japan.
Meaning
A desire for something
Collocations
birthday wish
|final wish
|grant a wish
|express a wish
Synonyms
desire (A more general word for wanting something, not limited to events or outcomes.)
Antonyms
aversion (A strong dislike or desire to avoid something.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A strong feeling of wanting something to happen or be true.
A feeling of wanting something to happen or be true.
VERB
A2
3
kíván
A2
Usage pattern:
to wish [someone] [something]
I wish you all the best in your new job.
Minden jót kívánok az új munkádhoz.
They wished us a safe journey.
Jó utat kívántak nekünk.
She wished him good luck before the race.
Learner examples
I wish you good luck.
Sok szerencsét kívánok neked.
We wish her a happy birthday.
Boldog születésnapot kívánunk neki.
They wish me a safe trip.
Meaning
Express good feelings politely
Collocations
wish someone luck
|wish you well
|wish her a happy birthday
Synonyms
congratulate (Used when someone has achieved something; 'wish' is broader and used for hopes and goodwill.)
Antonyms
curse (To express a desire for harm or bad luck to someone.)
Themes
social
|emotions
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say kind words showing you want someone to be happy or successful.
To express a polite desire for someone's happiness, success, or well-being.
VERB
B1
4
bárcsak
B1
szeretné, ha
B1
Usage pattern:
to wish [something] were/was [different]
I wish I had studied harder in school.
Bárcsak többet tanultam volna az iskolában.
She wishes she were taller.
Szeretné, ha magasabb lenne.
They wish they had arrived earlier.
Learner examples
I wish I had more time.
Bárcsak több időm lenne.
She wishes she was rich.
Szeretné, ha gazdag lenne.
We wish we had gone there.
Common mistake:
Learners often use the wrong tense after 'wish'. For past regrets, use 'had' + past participle; for present unreal situations, use past tense verbs.
Meaning
Express regret about reality
Collocations
wish I had known
|wish it were different
Synonyms
lament (More formal and emotional; 'wish' is more neutral.)
Antonyms
accept (To be content with the current reality instead of wanting it different.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say you want something different from what is real now or happened before.
To express that you would like a situation to be different from what it is, often about the past or present unreal situations.
Grammar
Dictionary form
wish
IPA
GB/wˈɪʃ/
US/wˈɪʃ/
Syllables & stress
wish (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (wish)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: wish
- Plural: wish, wishes
Verb
- Base: wish
- 3rd Person Singular: wishes
- Present Participle: wishing
- Past: wished
Word family
Forms
wishes
noun
wishing
verb
wished
verb
Core family
wishful
adjective
Related words
wishfully
adverb
Advanced or less common
wishfulness
noun
Expressions
best wishes
1/bˈɛst wˈɪʃɪz/
fixed phrase
Polite close with good feelings
'Best wishes' means kind words at the end of a letter, card, or meeting showing you want good things for someone.
Examples
- Best wishes for your retirement!
- Please give my best wishes to your family.
make a wish
1/mˈeɪk ə wˈɪʃ/
fixed phrase
Think of desire by tradition
To think of something you want when doing something traditional like blowing out candles or seeing a shooting star.
Examples
- Close your eyes and make a wish before you blow out the candles.
- She made a wish when she saw the first star in the evening sky.
wish away
1/wˈɪʃ əwˈeɪ/
phrasal verb
Hope problem disappears without action
To hope a problem will go away without doing anything about it.
Examples
- You can't just wish away your responsibilities.
- She tried to wish away her fears instead of facing them.
wish someone well
1/wˈɪʃ sˈʌmwˌʌn wˈɛl/
fixed phrase
Express hope for happiness/success
To say you hope someone will be happy, healthy, or successful.
Examples
- We all wish you well in your new role.
- His friends wished him well before he left for the trip.
be careful what you wish for
1/bˈi kˈɛɹfəl wˈʌt jˈu wˈɪʃ fɚ/
idiom
Warning that desires may backfire
Used to warn someone that they might not like what happens if they get what they want.
Examples
- You want more responsibility? Be careful what you wish for—it might be more work than you think.
- He wanted fame, but now he hates the attention—be careful what you wish for.
- She got the promotion, but now she's stressed all the time. Be careful what you wish for.
- Be careful what you wish for; winning the lottery isn't always a blessing.