志望|しぼうshibou[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbwish; desire; ambition; choice
   あの大学だいがくは私の第だい１志望しぼうだった。↗

   That university was my first choice.

• Synonym志願しがんWrittenWritten. Actively putting one's name forward, as in 「志願兵」 or 「志願者」; stresses voluntary application, while 「志望」 is the aspiration one holds in mind.
• Synonym大志たいしWrittenWritten. Lofty, laudable ambition for one's life, as in 「少年よ大志を抱け」; broader life goals rather than a specific school or job.
• Synonym希求ききゅうWrittenWritten. A strong longing or craving, as in 「平和を希求する」; stiff, formal prose far from everyday speech.
• Synonym希望きぼうNeutralNeutral. Hope in general, as in 「希望を持つ」; a common everyday word covering any hope, broader than 「志望」.
• Synonym求めるもとめるNeutralNeutral. Verb: to seek, ask for, or demand, as in 「助けを求める」; actively going after something, not a fixed aspiration.
• Synonym願望がんぼうWrittenWritten. An inner wish, often in psychological contexts, as in 「変身願望」; stresses the desire felt inside rather than 「志望」's school or career aim.
• Synonym雄志ゆうしWrittenWritten. A lofty, grand aspiration; very rare today with a classical, literary ring — not a substitute for everyday 「志望」.
• SynonymアンビションNeutralNeutral. Loanword for ambition or drive; uncommon in daily conversation, seen mostly in translated writing.
• Related野心やしんNeutralNeutral. A grand, hidden ambition, often pejorative; also the drive to break new ground in art. Far bolder and more loaded than the school or career choice 「志望」 names.
• Related野望やぼうWrittenWritten. A far-reaching ambition, usually pejorative, as in 「天下統一の野望」; carries a heavier tone than 「野心」.
• Related大願たいがんWrittenWritten. A grand wish, also the Buddha's vow to save all beings; carries a religious, literary flavor far from everyday 「志望」.
• Related念願ねんがんNeutralNeutral. A long-cherished wish, as in 「念願の初優勝」; stresses how long and strongly it has been held, where 「志望」 centers on the school or job one aims for.
• Related欲求よっきゅうWrittenWritten. A desire or need, as in 「欲求不満」; leans psychological or academic, about drives rather than aspirations.
• Related望むのぞむNeutralNeutral. Verb: to hope for or expect, as in 「平和を望む」; focuses on hoping for an outcome, while 「志望」 specifically names the school or job one aims for.
• Related願うねがうNeutralNeutral. Verb: to wish or pray for something, as in 「幸せを願う」; carries a pleading, prayer-like nuance 「志望」 lacks.
• Related意欲いよくNeutralNeutral. Eagerness or motivation, as in 「学習意欲」; the drive to get something done, not the goal itself.
• Related願いねがいNeutralNeutral. A wish or request, as in 「願いが叶う」; covers any hope or plea, a far broader range than 「志望」.
• Related願がんNeutralNeutral. As 「願」, a written document stating a request, like 「退学願」; a formal paper, while 「志望」 is the aspiration itself.
• Related望みのぞみNeutralNeutral. Hope or expectation, as in 「望みを捨てない」; looks ahead to what may come, wider than a school or job choice.
• Related欲するほっするWrittenWritten. Literary verb: to want or desire, as in 「平和を欲する」; a stiff written word for wanting in general, without 「志望」's focus on school or career.
• Related念じるねんじるNeutralNeutral. Verb: to wish or pray silently in one's heart, as in 「成功を念じる」; inward, prayer-like hoping.
• Related要望ようぼうWrittenWritten. A request that someone do something, as in 「要望書」 or 「子どもの要望」; directed outward at others, unlike one's own 「志望」.
• Related欲よくNeutralNeutral. Greed or appetite, as in 「欲が深い」; raw desire, often pejorative, with none of 「志望」's career focus.
• Related雄心ゆうしんWrittenWritten. Heroic ambition or bold aspiration; rare in modern usage — in daily speech 「大志」 is the natural choice.
• Related所望しょもうWrittenWritten. Wanting to obtain some item, in polite written style, as in 「ご所望の品」; a request for things, not ambitions.

Use 「志望」 for the school, company, or job you aspire to, as in 「志望校」 and 「志望動機」. For actively signing up, pick 「志願」; for life ambitions, 「大志」; for a long-cherished wish, 「念願」; for hopes in general, 「希望」 or 「願い」; for ambition with a negative tinge, 「野心」.

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

1. こういう職業しょくぎょうにつきたい、こういう会社かいしゃや学校がっこうに入はいりたいなどと望のぞむこと。