願い・願|ねがいnegai[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. noundesire; wish; hope
   私の願ねがいはパリで絵えの勉強べんきょうをすることです。↗

   My wish is to study painting in Paris.

   私の願ねがいはかなえられた。↗

   My prayers were answered.
2. nounrequest; entreaty; plea; appeal
   市長しちょうは私達わたしたちの願ねがいを聞き入ききいれてくれた。↗

   The mayor granted our request.
3. nounprayer
4. noun, noun (suffix)(written) applicationoft. 願 when used as a suffix

• Synonym希望きぼうNeutralCovers wishes but also bright prospects, as in 「希望に満ちる」; 「願い」 has no sense of outlook, though it can be a request made to someone.
• Synonym望みのぞみNeutralRefers to what one hopes for and also to the chance of it happening, as in 「望みがない」; 「願い」 carries no idea of likelihood, but can be a request.
• Synonym願望がんぼうWrittenAn inner desire, psychological and written/formal in flavor, as in 「変身願望」; 「願い」 is more everyday and can also be a request.
• Synonym夢ゆめNeutralMeans dreams and grand aspirations with a wistful tinge, as in 「夢を叶える」, and also sleeping dreams; 「願い」 has no dream sense.
• Synonym切望せつぼうWrittenEarnest, intense longing, written in register, as in 「平和を切望する」; 「願い」 is plainer in tone.
• Synonym熱望ねつぼうWrittenA fervent, emotionally charged desire, written/formal; 「願い」 is calmer — in daily speech one can say 「強い願い」.
• Synonym申し出もうしでNeutralA proposal or application one comes forward with, as in 「辞退の申し出」; stresses the act of offering, not a wish of the heart.
• Synonym要求ようきゅうNeutralA firm demand that someone do something, as in 「要求を突きつける」; far more forceful than 「願い」.
• Synonym欲よくNeutralGreed or craving, often pejorative, as in 「欲が深い」; also a suffix in words like 「食欲」. 「願い」 has no such shading.
• Synonym頼みたのみNeutralA favor one asks of someone, common in speech, as in 「頼みがある」; can also mean reliance, a sense 「願い」 lacks.
• Synonym所望しょもうWrittenWanting to obtain something, as in 「ご所望の品」; honorific in tone and rather old-fashioned. In daily speech say 「希望」.
• Related思いおもいNeutralBroad word for thoughts and feelings in one's heart, as in 「思いを伝える」; not limited to wishes. 「願い」 is what one hopes for or a request to someone.
• Related志望しぼうNeutralAmbition to enter a particular school, profession or company, as in 「志望校」; 「願い」 is not limited to school or career choices.
• Related念願ねんがんNeutralA long-cherished wish, stressing how long it has been held, as in 「念願の初優勝」; 「願い」 says nothing about duration.
• Related祈りいのりNeutralPrayer or devout wishing, as in 「祈りを捧げる」 and 「平和への祈り」; devotional in feel. 「願い」 can also be a request to a person.
• Related欲求よっきゅうWrittenA need or urge to obtain or satisfy something, from the physiological to the social, as in 「欲求不満」; leans psychological and written/formal.
• Related要望ようぼうNeutralA request that someone do something, as in 「要望を出す」; can be made to organizations or individuals, and is more formal than 「願い」.
• Related欲望よくぼうNeutralAppetite or craving for things one wants, as in 「欲望を抑える」; often carries negative nuance, which 「願い」 never does.
• Related意欲いよくNeutralWillingness or drive to do something, as in 「学習意欲」; 「願い」 instead focuses on hoping an outcome comes true.
• Related志願しがんWrittenVolunteering or applying of one's own will, as in 「志願兵」 and 「志願者」; stresses the act of coming forward, while 「願い」 is a wish held in the heart.
• Related祈念きねんWrittenFervent prayer, solemn written language heard in ceremonial addresses, as in 「平和を祈念する」; 「願い」 is for everyday use.
• Related祈願きがんNeutralPraying to the gods or Buddha for something, as in 「合格祈願」; typical of shrine and temple visits. 「願い」 is not bound to any addressee or setting.
• Related希求ききゅうWrittenWritten language for strong yearning, as in 「平和を希求する」; common in declarations and formal documents. Say 「願い」 in daily life.
• Related憧れあこがれNeutralYearning for an admired person or ideal, as in 「憧れの職業」; tinged with adoration, which 「願い」 does not imply.
• Related心願しんがんWrittenWritten word for a heartfelt wish or a vow made to the gods; rare today. Say 「願い」 in everyday speech.
• Relatedお願い事おねがいごとCasualColloquial, gentle way to refer to a favor asked of someone, as in 「お願い事がある」; 「願い」 also covers wishes of the heart.

Use 「願い」 for something hoped for in one's heart or a plea made to someone. Ordinary wishes are also 「希望」 or 「望み」, dreams are 「夢」, requests to another party are 「要望」, forceful demands are 「要求」, and favors asked of someone are 「頼み」.

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

1. （ねがい）希望きぼうを記しるした文書ぶんしょ。願書がんしょ。