目指す・目差す|めざすmezasu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
目指す目指す is the most common form and the recommended choice for beginners; use it when writing this word.
目差す目差す is a less common written variant of 目指す and is rarely used; recognize it when you encounter it, but choose 目指す for your own writing.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto aim at (for, to do, to become); to try for; to have an eye on
- godan verb, transitive verbto go toward; to head for
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 目指す（めざす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 目指します（めざします） |
| Negative (nai) | 目指さない（めざさない） |
| polite (masen) | 目指しません（めざしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 目指さず・目指さぬ（めざさず・めざさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 目指した（めざした） |
| polite (mashita) | 目指しました（めざしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 目指さなかった（めざさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 目指しませんでした（めざしませんでした） |
| Te form | 目指して（めざして） |
| Potential | 目指せる（めざせる） |
| Passive | 目指される（めざされる） |
| Causative | 目指させる（めざさせる） |
| Causative passive | 目指させられる（めざさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 目指せば（めざせば） |
| tara | 目指したら（めざしたら） |
| Volitional | 目指そう（めざそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 目指しましょう（めざしましょう） |
| Imperative | 目指せ（めざせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym志すこころざすWrittenWritten/formal word for resolving to pursue a vocation or life ambition, as in 「医者を志す」; 「目指す」 also covers concrete goals and destinations.
- Related志向しこうWrittenWritten/formal noun for an orientation or tendency, as in 「上昇志向」 and 「健康志向」; it names a leaning, not the act of striving that 「目指す」 describes.
- Related意図いとNeutralNeutral word for an intention or purpose held in the mind, as in 「意図的」; unlike 「目指す」 it carries no sense of striving or moving toward the goal.
- Antonym避けるさけるNeutralNeutral word meaning to avoid or evade something; it points away from what 「目指す」 moves toward, so the two run in opposite directions.
- Antonym諦めるあきらめるNeutralNeutral word for giving up on a goal and resigning yourself; the direct opposite of 「目指す」, which keeps striving for what you want.
Use 「目指す」 for striving toward a goal or heading for a place. For a lifelong vocation use 「志す」, for an orientation 「志向」, for an intention 「意図」; 「避ける」 and 「諦める」 are its opposites.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
