How to say "wish" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 願うねがうgodan verb, transitive verbThe verb: use it when wish is an action — to wish for something to happen, hope for an outcome, or wish someone well, often with a heartfelt tone.私達は平和を願う。↗We long for peace.
- 希望きぼうnoun, suru verb, transitive verbChiefly hope or aspiration: use it when wish means something longed for or aimed at, typically hopes for the future. For a wish one makes or expresses, 願い is the more natural noun.
- 願いねがいnounA wish or desire itself — the noun counterpart of 願う; what someone wishes for or holds in their heart, such as a wish for a child's happiness.
- 意思いしnounReally intention, will or purpose; its wish sense is volition — someone's wish to do something. Seldom the word for wishes or hopes in general; reach for it only when wish means intent to act.
- 望みのぞみnounA wish or desire one holds — something wanted or longed for, such as hopes for someone's recovery. It overlaps with 希望, which leans toward hope and aspiration.
Use 「願う」 when wish is a verb; 「願い」 for a wish itself as a noun; 希望 and 「望み」 lean toward hope or aspiration for the future; 意思 is really intention or will, its wish sense being volition.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 願うねがうto desire
- 希望きぼうhope
- 願いねがいdesire
- 意思いしintention
- 望みのぞみwish
- 志望しぼうwish
- 願望がんぼうdesire
- 願がんprayer
- 念じるねんじるto wish (for)
- お願いおねがいrequest
- 欲求よっきゅうdesire
- 意向いこうintention
- 願い事ねがいごとwish
- 念ずるねんずるto wish (for)
- ウィッシュwish
- 願意がんいwish
- 所願しょがんwish
- したがるto wish (to do)
- 所望しょもうdesire
- 欲念よくねんdesire
- お好みおこのみ(your) choice
- 夢ゆめdream
- 思いおもいdesire
- 好みこのみwish
- 祈るいのるto wish
- 乞うこうto pray
- 声こえvoice
- 考えかんがえwish
See also
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