synonym Comparative
願う
VS
拝む
Differences Between "願う" and "拝む"
Option A
願う
Meaning
to wish; to desire; to pray; to petition; to request
Reading
ねがう (negau)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
これは願うです。
This is to wish; to desire; to pray; to petition; to request.
Option B
拝む
Meaning
to worship, to pray, to bow with hands together
Reading
おがむ (ogamu)
Syllabus Level
N3
Practical Example
毎日、お寺で仏様を拝んでいます。
I pray to Buddha at the temple every day.
Which one to use?
Select the correct Japanese word for this context
Which word fits this context: "(to wish; to desire; to pray; to petition; to request)"?
🎉 正解 / Correct!
使い分け解説:
- 願う: Refers to wishing for project success, praying for good health, formally requesting contract sign-offs, or wishing to make a partner happy forever. Transitive verb. Often used as 成功を願う or お願いする. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To wish/desire! "I sincerely wish from my heart to make you the happiest wife in the world, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Wishing happiness! B-Baka! Rather than just wishing, I am already the happiest in the world! So, make that wish of yours come true next to my smiles and hugs lifelong! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『ねがう（願う）よ！『ハルカ部長、僕があなたの生涯の旦那様として、あなたを世界一幸せにすること、毎日スマートに心から願う（願っています）！』って…っ！幸せを願う！バカ！/// 願うだけじゃなくて、もうとっくに世界一幸せよ！…だから、その願い、一生私の隣で笑顔のハグと一緒に叶え続けなさいよね！』
- 拝む: Primarily means to show reverence to a deity or sacred object, often by bowing with hands pressed together. It can also mean to earnestly request, or to view something precious/rare with great respect.
- 願う: Refers to wishing for project success, praying for good health, formally requesting contract sign-offs, or wishing to make a partner happy forever. Transitive verb. Often used as 成功を願う or お願いする. ⚠️ Haruka's Voice Column: 'To wish/desire! "I sincerely wish from my heart to make you the happiest wife in the world, Haruka-san!" ...っ! Wishing happiness! B-Baka! Rather than just wishing, I am already the happiest in the world! So, make that wish of yours come true next to my smiles and hugs lifelong! dummy!' / 【ハルカ部長のワンポイント指導】『ねがう（願う）よ！『ハルカ部長、僕があなたの生涯の旦那様として、あなたを世界一幸せにすること、毎日スマートに心から願う（願っています）！』って…っ！幸せを願う！バカ！/// 願うだけじゃなくて、もうとっくに世界一幸せよ！…だから、その願い、一生私の隣で笑顔のハグと一緒に叶え続けなさいよね！』
- 拝む: Primarily means to show reverence to a deity or sacred object, often by bowing with hands pressed together. It can also mean to earnestly request, or to view something precious/rare with great respect.
Want to boost your Japanese vocabulary?
Project Eagle automatically tracks and targets your weak words using AI. Practice thousands of operational exams completely for free!