如愿以偿

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: rú yuàn yǐ cháng
• English Translation: To have one's wish fulfilled (to get one's heart's desire)
• Idiom Composition: 「如」（According to; in accordance with）＋「愿」（Wish; desire）＋「以」（Thereby; so as to）＋「偿」（To fulfill; to satisfy (originally to repay or compensate)）
• Meaning: To have a long-held wish or hope realized exactly as expected, resulting in great satisfaction. It emphasizes that the outcome is a result of effort or patient waiting rather than mere luck.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「如愿以偿」 contains the following nuances:

• The Implication of Effort: Because the character 偿 (cháng) carries the nuance of 'repayment' or 'being rewarded,' this idiom is most appropriate when the wish is granted after a period of struggle, hard work, or significant waiting.
• Perfect Alignment: The character 如 (rú) indicates that the outcome matches the original intention perfectly. It conveys a sense of total satisfaction, where the reality aligns exactly with what was envisioned.

3. Usage

「如愿以偿」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Achieving a Goal: Commonly used when someone achieves a specific objective they have worked hard for, such as passing an exam, getting a job, or winning a competition.
  • Example:「经过三年的刻苦复习，他终于如愿以偿考上了理想的大学。」
    （After three years of hard study, he finally had his wish fulfilled by getting into his dream university.）
• Realizing a Long-held Dream: Used for personal desires that have been anticipated for a long time, such as travel, a reunion, or a significant purchase.
  • Example:「攒了好几年的钱，爸爸终于如愿以偿买了一辆新车。」
    （After saving money for several years, Dad finally got his heart's desire and bought a new car.）

Additional Examples:

1. 只要坚持努力，你的梦想终究会如愿以偿。
   （As long as you keep working hard, your dream will eventually come true.）
2. 这次去巴黎旅行，让我如愿以偿地看到了埃菲尔铁塔。
   （This trip to Paris allowed me to fulfill my wish of seeing the Eiffel Tower.）
3. 虽然过程很艰难，但结果如愿以偿，一切都值得了。
   （Although the process was difficult, the result was exactly what I hoped for, so it was all worth it.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Source: This idiom appears in the Qing Dynasty novel Officialdom Unmasked (官场现形记 - Guān Chǎng Xiàn Xíng Jì). It is a relatively modern idiomatic expression compared to those derived from ancient pre-Qin texts.
• Usage Nuance: While almost always positive, it can occasionally be used sarcastically in literature to describe a 'villain' getting what they wanted (e.g., 'the criminal successfully escaped'). However, for learners, it is best used in its standard positive sense of achieving a noble or personal goal.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 心想事成 (xīn xiǎng shì chéng): To have all one's wishes come true; often used as a blessing in New Year greetings.link
  • 称心如意 (chèn xīn rú yì): To be after one's own heart; for things to go exactly as one likes.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 事与愿违 (shì yǔ yuàn wéi): Things go against one's wishes; the outcome is the opposite of what was hoped for.link
  • 大失所望 (dà shī suǒ wàng): To be greatly disappointed; to have one's expectations completely crushed.

6. Summary

如愿以偿 (rú yuàn yǐ cháng) is a highly positive idiom used to describe the realization of dreams or goals. It is frequently paired with the word 终于 (zhōng yú), meaning 'finally,' to highlight the successful conclusion of a long process or period of anticipation.