Japanese word

志望

Pronunciation

Romajishibō

Meaning

  • nounaspiration

Example

私は教師を志望しています。watashi wa kyō shi o shi bō shi te i ma su

I aspire to become a teacher.

Illustration for 志望 (aspiration)

More examples

彼は第一志望に合格して、大喜びしました。kare wa dai ichi shi bō ni gō kaku shi te ō yoroko bi shi ma shi ta

He was delighted to be accepted by his first-choice school.

Core concept

Shows that a person has set a particular path as a serious goal for the future.

Common phrases

  • 志望校shi bō kō

    preferred school

  • 第一志望dai ichi shi bō

    first choice

  • 志望理由shi bō ri yū

    reason for applying

  • 志望動機shi bō dō ki

    motivation for applying

Similar words

志願shigan: A formal desire to enter a school, organization, or profession.
抱負hōfu: A personal aim or plan for the future.
希望kibō: A desired future choice, condition, or outcome.
願望ganbō: A strong wish to achieve a particular future state.

Definition in Japanese

将来就きたい職業や進みたい道を、目標として強く望むこと。shō rai tsu ki ta i shoku gyō ya susu mi ta i michi o moku hyō to shi te tsuyo ku nozo mu ko to

Word origin

志 (shi, "will; aspiration") combines with 望 (bō, "hope; desire") in the Sino-Japanese compound 志望 (shibō), meaning a desired future aim.

Usage tips

  • 志望 (shibō) is common in formal Japanese phrases such as 志望校 (shibōkō), meaning the school that a student hopes to attend.

Related words

  • 志望者shibōshaapplicantnoun
  • 志望するshibōsuruaspireverb

Word lists with this word