Japanese word

念願

Pronunciation

Romajinengan

Meaning

  • nounlong-held wish

Example

長年の念願がかないました。naga nen no nen gan ga ka na i ma shi ta

My long-held wish came true.

Illustration for 念願 (long-held wish)

More examples

彼は念願の海外留学を実現しました。kare wa nen gan no kai gai ryū gaku o jitsu gen shi ma shi ta

He made his long-held wish to study abroad a reality.

Core concept

Describes a wish that has remained in one's mind for a long time and is strongly hoped for.

Common phrases

  • 長年の念願naga nen no nen gan

    a long-held wish

  • 念願がかなうnen gan ga ka na u

    a long-held wish comes true

  • 念願を果たすnen gan o ha ta su

    fulfill a long-held wish

Similar words

願いnegai: A desire for something to happen or be achieved.
悲願higan: A deeply desired goal that has often remained unmet for a long time.
希望kibō: A desire or expectation that something desired will happen.

Definition in Japanese

長い間心に抱き続けてきた願い。naga i aida kokoro ni ida ki tsuzu ke te ki ta nega i

Word origin

念 (nen, "thought") and 願 (gan, "wish") combine in a Sino-Japanese word for a wish held in the mind over time.

Usage tips

  • 念願 (nengan) is stronger and more formal than 願い (negai), often describing a goal pursued for years rather than a passing desire.

Word lists with this word