synonym Comparative
願い
VS
願望
Differences Between "願い" and "願望"
Option A
願い
Meaning
wish; desire; request
Reading
ねがい (negai)
Syllabus Level
N4
Practical Example
私の願いが叶いますように。
I hope my wish comes true.
Option B
願望
Meaning
desire; wish; aspiration
Reading
がんぼう (ganbou)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
彼の長年の願望は、世界中の子どもたちが幸せに暮らすことだ。
His long-cherished desire is for children around the world to live happily.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(wish; desire; request)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 願い: A noun referring to a wish, desire, or a polite request. Related to the verb 願う (negau - to wish, to request).
- 願望: Expresses a strong, often abstract or long-term personal wish or aspiration. It is more formal than 「～たい」 (tai) or 「～ほしい」 (hoshii) and is frequently used in contexts like 「願望を抱く」 (ganbou o idaku - to harbor a desire) or 「願望が実現する」 (ganbou ga jitsugen suru - a desire is realized).
- 願い: A noun referring to a wish, desire, or a polite request. Related to the verb 願う (negau - to wish, to request).
- 願望: Expresses a strong, often abstract or long-term personal wish or aspiration. It is more formal than 「～たい」 (tai) or 「～ほしい」 (hoshii) and is frequently used in contexts like 「願望を抱く」 (ganbou o idaku - to harbor a desire) or 「願望が実現する」 (ganbou ga jitsugen suru - a desire is realized).
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