願|がんgan[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounprayer; wish; vow

• Synonym祈りいのりNeutralNeutral word for prayer or supplication; used broadly, even outside religion. 「願」 is specifically a wish or vow made to gods or Buddha, as in 「願をかける」.
• Synonym祈願きがんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Praying to the gods or Buddha that something come true, as in 「合格祈願」. 「願」 centers on the act of making the wish itself.
• Synonym願望がんぼうNeutralNeutral. A personal wish or desire; broad in use. 「願」 is a wish made specifically to gods or Buddha.
• Synonym望みのぞみNeutralNeutral. A hope or wish, and also prospects, as in 「望みがある」; works in both speech and writing. 「願」 is the act of making a wish.
• Related祈祷きとうWrittenWritten/formal prose. Praying to gods or Buddha; also covers exorcism rites. 「願」 is the making of a wish.
• Related祈念きねんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Praying that a wish be granted, as in 「平和を祈念する」. 「願」 leans toward a wish or vow made to the gods.
• Related要望ようぼうWrittenWritten/formal prose. A request that someone do something — directed at people. 「願」 is a prayer to gods or Buddha.
• Related志願しがんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Volunteering or applying of one's own will, as in 「志願兵」. 「願」 is a religious wish.
• Related志望しぼうWrittenWritten/formal prose. Hoping to enter a particular school or profession, as in 「志望校」. Has nothing to do with gods or Buddha.
• Related祈請きせいFormalFormal and rare: an entreaty or prayer to gods or Buddha. In everyday speech use 「祈願」.
• Related心願しんがんWrittenWritten/formal prose. A wish made in one's heart to the gods, or a heartfelt wish. 「願」 is the more common word.
• Related所願しょがんWrittenWritten/formal prose and rare: a wish or desire. 「願」 centers on vowing something to the gods.

Use 「願」 for a wish or vow made to gods or Buddha, as in 「願をかける」. For praying, choose 「祈り」 or 「祈願」; for personal wishes, 「願望」 or 「望み」; for school or career goals, 「志望」; for volunteering, 「志願」.

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

1. （ガン）神仏しんぶつに願ねがうこと。また、その願ねがい。