展望
zhǎnwàng · HSK 7
look into the distance/future
🔭 展 unfold/spread + 望 gaze afar = unfold your gaze toward the far distance or future
展 means to spread out or unfold, and 望 means to gaze toward something distant. Together they describe casting your sight outward across distance or ahead in time, hence looking into the future or outlook.
望 — 亡 (phonetic) + 月 moon + 王 king/standing figure
Originally a pictograph of a person standing on tiptoe gazing at the moon, expressing the idea of looking far into the distance. Over time the figure was reshaped and 亡 was added as a phonetic element. The meaning extended from 'gaze afar' to 'hope for' or 'expect.'