English–Japanese

“hope” in Japanese

Japanese

Also希望 (kibō) · 望み (nozomi)

Pronunciation

Romajinegau

Example

みんなの無事を願います。mi n na no bu ji o nega i ma su

I hope everyone is safe.

Illustration for 願う (hope)

How to say “hope” in Japanese

“Hope” in Japanese is 願う (negau).

Expresses a strong desire for a hoped-for outcome, whether directed toward the future or voiced as a prayer.

Full entry for 願う: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with 願う

明日、晴れることを願います。asu ha re ru ko to o nega i ma su

I hope it will be sunny tomorrow.

困っている人に早く支援が届くように願っています。koma tte i ru hito ni haya ku shi en ga todo ku yō ni nega tte i ma su

I hope support reaches people in need soon.

Tips for using 願う

  • In Japanese, を (o) often marks the hoped-for outcome before 願う (negau), while English often uses hope that or hope for.

Other Japanese words for “hope”

私は希望を持っています。watashi wa ki bō o mo tte i ma su

I have hope.

まだ望みがあります。ma da nozo mi ga a ri ma su

I still have hope.

“hope” in other languages