【成語來源】
one's own wishful thinking
一廂情願
Many years ago, a farmer happened to see the King's daughter in the capital. He lost his heart to her at once.
從前，有個農夫偶然在國都看見了公主，頓時被她的美貌傾倒。
After returning, he missed the princess day and night. Soon, he was ill.
回家後，天天思念，不久就生病了。
His friends and relatives came to see him.
他的親人和朋友都來看他。
When they knew the reason why the farmer was ill, they thought it was quite difficult to help the farmer, for the King would never consent to his daughter marrying a poor man.
他們知道農夫想娶公主後，覺得事情很難辦。因為國王是不會把女兒嫁給一個農夫的。
But the sick man sighed sadly: "If I can't get the princess, I will be dead." His friends tried to persuade him, but in vain. So they had to play a trick.
可這個農夫叫道：「得不到公主我會死的。」朋友們說服不了他，只好想了一個辦法騙他。
Some days later, they came to see the man again and told him they had asked the princess to marry him, but she rejected.
幾天後，他們又來看農夫，並告訴他他們去見過公主，但公主拒絕了他們的請求。
In fact, they had never done it. But the foolish man believed. However, he did not give up his mind.
其實，他們根本沒見過公主。但農夫相信了朋友們的話，可他並不死心。
He announced: "if I visit the princess in person, she will say yes." If he did so, you can guess the result.
他認為如果他親自去，公主一定會答應。你可以猜想如果他親自去會有什麼結果。
Later,people use it to describe the man who only considers his own aspiration, ignoring the objective situation and others' opinions.
後來，人們就用「一廂情願」來比喻一個人只顧自己的想法，不管當時的客觀情況，也不理會別人的看法。
【文化連結】
自己憑空想像不一定會發生的事情，也就是「一廂情願」。英文裡要表達這句成語則會用很簡單的說法「one's own wishful thinking」。因為較之hope，wish本來在涵義上就比較跟現實脫節，實現可能性比較小。我們下面來看一段對話：
Peter：Why do you keep doing extra work for Joe? He’s taking you for granted now.
Peter：你幹嘛老幫John做額外的工作？他現在把你做的事當作是理所當然的。
Tina：I know he’s becoming very demanding now. But I just hope he』ll start appreciating what I』ve done for him.
Tina：我知道他現在要求越來越多了。可是我總希望他會開始感激我幫他做的事。
Peter：You』ve always been a great team player but you really deserve someone better to work with.
Peter：你向來都是最有團隊精神的，不過你真應該和好一點的人共事啊。
Tina： Well, we were assigned to complete a project together. I think he will learn that it’s impossible to finish something all by oneself. And perhaps, he』ll become more supportive and thoughtful in the near future.
Tina：我們被分配要一起完成一個計劃。我想他會了解，只靠自己一個人是不可能把事情做完的。或許以後他會變得比較願意去多協助、多體諒別人。
Peter：It’s just your wishful thinking. Honestly, you’re not his mother and it’s not even your responsibility to「bring him up!」
Peter：這只是你一廂情願的想法。老實說，你又不是他的媽媽，沒有責任把他「拉扯大」啊。