志|こころざしkokorozashi[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounwill; resolution; intention; ambition; aim; goal
   何事なにごとをするにも志こころざしが大切たいせつ。↗

   The will is as good as the deed.
2. nounkindness; goodwill; kind offer
3. noungift (as a token of gratitude)

• Synonym意志いしNeutralWillpower to see things through, as in 「意志が強い」; 「志」 stresses the goal itself that you have set.
• Related意欲いよくNeutralDrive or eagerness to do something, as in 「意欲的」; 「志」 points to a long-term goal for one's life.
• Related意気込みいきごみNeutralThe enthusiasm and drive you throw into a task, as in 「意気込みを語る」; 「志」 is a goal you set in your heart.
• Related希望きぼうNeutralHope or expectation, covering anything big or small; 「志」 is a set goal you are determined to achieve.
• Related志望しぼうNeutralAspiring to enter a particular school or job, as in 「志望校」, the school one hopes to get into; 「志」 refers to ambition in life more broadly.
• Related野心やしんNeutralAmbition with an often negative shade of greed or scheming; 「志」 is a positive, admirable aspiration.
• Related夢ゆめNeutralA dream, big or small, with a romantic flavor; 「志」 puts more weight on resolve to achieve it.
• Related望みのぞみNeutralA wish or expectation, and also the chances of something happening; 「志」 is a goal you have set.
• Related願望がんぼうWrittenA written/formal word for a desire or wish; 「志」 stresses the ambition and resolve you have set.
• Related野望やぼうNeutralAn ambitious scheme, often with a negative shade; 「志」 is a positive aspiration.
• Related宿願しゅくがんWrittenA written/formal word for a wish long held in the heart; 「志」 is ambition in the ordinary sense.
• Related大志たいしWrittenA written/formal word for grand ambition, as in 「少年よ大志を抱け」; 「志」 need not be grand.
• Related憧れあこがれNeutralYearning or admiration for a person or thing; 「志」 is a goal you yourself aim to achieve.
• Related大願たいがんWrittenA written/formal word for a grand wish, also the Buddha's great vow; in daily speech say 「大きな願い」.
• Related憧憬どうけいWrittenThe written/formal equivalent of 「憧れ」, yearning or admiration; in daily speech say 「憧れ」.
• RelatedドリームNeutralLoanword for a dream, mostly in slogans and copy; in daily speech say 「夢」.
• Related理想りそうNeutralAn ideal, the perfect picture you hold in your mind; 「志」 stresses the resolve to go and achieve it.
• Related願い事ねがいごとNeutralA wish you make, such as a prayer to the gods; 「志」 is a goal you set for yourself.
• Related宿望しゅくぼうWrittenA rare written/formal word for a long-cherished wish, close to 「宿願」; in daily speech say 「長年の夢」.
• Related大望たいもうWrittenA written/formal word for grand ambition; in daily speech say 「大きな志」.
• Related雄志ゆうしWrittenA rare written/formal word for lofty ambition; in daily speech say 「大志」.
• RelatedアンビションNeutralRare loanword for ambition or drive; in daily speech say 「野心」 or 「大志」.
• Antonym無気力むきりょくNeutralAntonym on the side of drive: listlessness, having no energy or motivation.
• Antonym無志WrittenA written/formal antonym: the state of having no ambition, the opposite of 「志」 in that sense.

Use 「志」 for a goal you set for your life — your ambition or resolve; it can also mean a token of gratitude or goodwill. For the school or job you aim for, say 「志望」; for a dream, 「夢」; for ambition with a negative shade, 「野心」 or 「野望」; for grand ambition, 「大志」. The antonym is 「無気力」.

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

1. （こころざし）何なんかをしたいと思おもうこと。特とくに、将来しょうらいに対たいする希望きぼうや願望がんぼうをかなえようとする決意けつい。