synonym Comparative
祈願
VS
懇願
Differences Between "祈願" and "懇願"
Option A
祈願
Meaning
prayer; supplication; wishing (at shrine/temple); invocation
Reading
きがん (kigan)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
受験シーズンが近づき、神社には合格_______のお札を買い求める親子連れが殺到しました。
As the exam season approached, parent-child pairs seeking to buy talismans for passing exams flooded the shrine.
Option B
懇願
Meaning
earnest request, entreaty, supplication
Reading
こんがん (kongan)
Syllabus Level
N1
Practical Example
彼は助けを懇願した。
He earnestly pleaded for help.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(prayer; supplication; wishing (at shrine/temple); invocation)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 祈願: Refers to a formal prayer, supplication, or wishing for health, success, or love at a shrine or temple. Often used as 合格祈願 (prayer for passing) or 良縁祈願. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Prayer! S-So what if I went to the shrine to pray for our relationship?!良縁祈願 is extremely important for a maiden's heart! Don't look at me like that!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『き、祈願よ！京都の神社で、あんたと私の『良縁祈願（縁結び）』の絵馬を必死で書いて奉納してきたのよ！…っ、な、何照れてるのよ！私たちの未来への真剣な祈りなんだからね！』
- 懇願: Often used when making a strong, desperate, or humble request, sometimes implying a plea for mercy or help. Can be used in formal or literary contexts, or when emphasizing the earnestness of a request. (日本語：強い、必死な、または謙虚な要求をする際に使われることが多い。慈悲や助けを求める懇願を意味することもある。フォーマルな文脈や文学的な文脈で、または要求の真剣さを強調するために使われる。)
- 祈願: Refers to a formal prayer, supplication, or wishing for health, success, or love at a shrine or temple. Often used as 合格祈願 (prayer for passing) or 良縁祈願. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'Prayer! S-So what if I went to the shrine to pray for our relationship?!良縁祈願 is extremely important for a maiden's heart! Don't look at me like that!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『き、祈願よ！京都の神社で、あんたと私の『良縁祈願（縁結び）』の絵馬を必死で書いて奉納してきたのよ！…っ、な、何照れてるのよ！私たちの未来への真剣な祈りなんだからね！』
- 懇願: Often used when making a strong, desperate, or humble request, sometimes implying a plea for mercy or help. Can be used in formal or literary contexts, or when emphasizing the earnestness of a request. (日本語：強い、必死な、または謙虚な要求をする際に使われることが多い。慈悲や助けを求める懇願を意味することもある。フォーマルな文脈や文学的な文脈で、または要求の真剣さを強調するために使われる。)
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