How to say "longing" in Japanese

• 憧れあこがれJLPT N1approx.Common
  no-adjectiveLonging blended with admiration and aspiration: yearning for a person, place, or way of life one looks up to and hopes to attain.
  彼かれは彼女かのじょの恵めぐまれた才能さいのうにあこがれを抱いだいた。↗

  He longed for her talented skills.
• 希求ききゅうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA formal or literary term: longing as strong desire or aspiration, used when expressing in deliberate language what one deeply seeks.
• 憧憬どうけいCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbNear-synonymous with 憧れ: longing blended with admiration and aspiration toward a person or ideal one looks up to.
• 渇望かつぼうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbLonging with the force of a craving or thirst: intense, urgent desire for something one badly wants.
  わが国くにの国民こくみんは独立どくりつを渇望かつぼうしている。↗

  Our people thirst for independence.
• 切望せつぼうCommon
  suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveLonging as earnest desire and eager hope: a fervent, heartfelt wish for something one longs to gain or see come about.
  私はあなたの成功せいこうを切望せつぼうしています。↗

  I am anxious for your success.

Choose 「憧れ」, or its close synonym 憧憬, for admiring, aspirational longing; 渇望 for intense, craving-like desire; 切望 for earnest, hopeful longing; and 希求 when a formal or literary tone is wanted.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 憧れあこがれyearning
• 希求ききゅうlonging
• 憧憬どうけいlonging
• 渇望かつぼうcraving
• 切望せつぼうearnest desire
• 慕情ぼじょうlonging
• 想望そうぼうlonging
• 欲しさほしさdesire