志す|こころざすkokorozasu[4]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Definitions
- godan verb, intransitive verb, transitive verbto aspire to; to aim for; to intend; to resolve
- godan verb, transitive verbto give a gift (as a token of gratitude, goodwill, etc.)
- godan verb, transitive verbto perform a memorial service
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 志す（こころざす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 志します（こころざします） |
| Negative (nai) | 志さない（こころざさない） |
| polite (masen) | 志しません（こころざしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 志さず・志さぬ（こころざさず・こころざさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 志した（こころざした） |
| polite (mashita) | 志しました（こころざしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 志さなかった（こころざさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 志しませんでした（こころざしませんでした） |
| Te form | 志して（こころざして） |
| Potential | 志せる（こころざせる） |
| Passive | 志される（こころざされる） |
| Causative | 志させる（こころざさせる） |
| Causative passive | 志させられる（こころざさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 志せば（こころざせば） |
| tara | 志したら（こころざしたら） |
| Volitional | 志そう（こころざそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 志しましょう（こころざしましょう） |
| Imperative | 志せ（こころざせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym目指すめざすNeutralThe general, everyday word for working toward a goal as a direction, as in 「優勝を目指す」; 「志す」 is about resolving to take up a path in life.
- Synonym志向しこうNeutralA noun for one's aspiration or orientation, as in 「上昇志向」; 「志す」 is the verb.
- Synonym意図いとWrittenA written, formal word for an intention or aim; 「志す」 concerns a lifelong aspiration rather than a specific intention.
- Related狙うねらうNeutralTo aim at a target or pursue something as a goal, as in 「優勝を狙う」; 「志す」 is about vowing to take a path in life.
- Related企図きとWrittenA formal written word for a plan or scheme one undertakes; 「志す」 centers on one's aspiration.
- Related心づもりこころづもりNeutralA plan or intention formed in your mind beforehand; it centers on personal plans, while 「志す」 centers on a life ambition.
- Antonym諦めるあきらめるNeutralTo give up or abandon hope — the opposite of 「志す」, which is about resolving to pursue a goal.
- Antonym断念するWrittenFormal prose for abandoning a plan or giving up hope; the opposite of the resolve expressed by 「志す」.
Use 「志す」 for resolving to follow a path in life, as in 「医者を志す」. For simply heading toward a goal say 「目指す」; for the noun use 「志向」; for aiming at something 「狙う」; for giving up 「諦める」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
