Japanese word

憧れ

Pronunciation

Romajiakogare

Meaning

  • nounaspiration

Example

医者になることは私の憧れです。i sha ni na ru ko to wa watashi no akoga re de su

Becoming a doctor is my aspiration.

Illustration for 憧れ (aspiration)

More examples

子どもの頃から、宇宙飛行士への憧れを抱いています。ko do mo no koro ka ra u chū hi kō shi e no akoga re o ida i te i ma su

I have looked up to astronauts since I was a child.

Core concept

Describes a strong pull toward a person or goal that makes it seem worth becoming like or reaching.

Common phrases

  • 憧れを抱くakoga re o ida ku

    feel admiration

  • 憧れの人akoga re no hito

    person I look up to

  • 憧れの的akoga re no mato

    object of admiration

Similar words

願望ganbō: A desire for a particular state or outcome, without necessarily admiring it.
夢yume: A desired future or goal that a person hopes to achieve.
志望shibō: A stated wish to enter a particular career, school, or field.

Definition in Japanese

人や物事に強く心を引かれ、いつか自分もそうなりたい、または手に入れたいと願う気持ち。hito ya mono goto ni tsuyo ku kokoro o hi ka re i tsu ka ji bun mo sō na ri ta i ma ta wa te ni i re ta i to nega u ki mo chi

Word origin

憧れ (akogare) is the noun form of the native verb 憧れる (akogareru), which means to feel strong admiration or a wish to be like someone.

Usage tips

  • In the phrase 憧れの人 (akogare no hito), the noun modifies 人 (hito) to mean a person regarded as an ideal or someone one longs to be like.

Other meanings

  • admirationnoun
  • longingnoun

Related words

Word lists with this word