synonym Comparative
願い
VS
望み
Differences Between "願い" and "望み"
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
望み
Meaning
wish; desire; hope
Reading
のぞみ (nozomi)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
彼の望みは、いつか自分の店を持つことです。
His wish is to have his own store someday.
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).
- 望み: Refers to a personal wish, desire, or hope (noun). Contrast with 希望 (kibō, slightly more formal/abstract). ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'My biggest wish?! That's... to spend every day together with you forever... W-Wait, no! I meant to achieve 100% of our business department's sales goals! Gosh, don't look at me like that!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『私の最大の望み？！それはね、あんたとこれから先もずっと一緒に過ごし…っ、な、何言わせるのよ！部署の売上目標を100%達成することよ！変な期待しないでよね！』
- 願い: A noun referring to a wish, desire, or a polite request. Related to the verb 願う (negau - to wish, to request).
- 望み: Refers to a personal wish, desire, or hope (noun). Contrast with 希望 (kibō, slightly more formal/abstract). ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'My biggest wish?! That's... to spend every day together with you forever... W-Wait, no! I meant to achieve 100% of our business department's sales goals! Gosh, don't look at me like that!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『私の最大の望み？！それはね、あんたとこれから先もずっと一緒に過ごし…っ、な、何言わせるのよ！部署の売上目標を100%達成することよ！変な期待しないでよね！』
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