Japanese word

望む

Pronunciation

Romajinozomu

Meaning

  • verbwant

Example

みんな幸せを望んでいます。mi n na shiawa se o nozo n de i ma su

Everyone wants happiness.

Illustration for 望む (want)

More examples

彼は海外で働くことを望んでいます。kare wa kai gai de hatara ku ko to o nozo n de i ma su

He hopes to work abroad.

Core concept

Expresses a wish that a person, thing, or situation will reach a preferred state.

Common phrases

  • 幸せを望むshiawa se o nozo mu

    hope for happiness

  • 平和を望むhei wa o nozo mu

    hope for peace

  • 強く望むtsuyo ku nozo mu

    strongly hope for

Similar words

願うnegau: To express a wish for a desired result or future condition.
求めるmotomeru: To seek a person, thing, or condition that one considers desirable.
希望するkibōsuru: To wish for a specified result, choice, or opportunity.

Definition in Japanese

人や物事が好ましい状態になることを願う。hito ya mono goto ga kono ma shi i jō tai ni na ru ko to o nega u

Word origin

望む (nozomu, "to hope for") is a native Japanese verb; its related noun 望み (nozomi, "hope or wish") comes from the verb's continuative form, while the verb's deeper origin is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, 望む (nozomu, "to want or hope for") often sounds more formal than 欲しい (hoshii, "to want"), especially when the desired thing is a concrete object.

Other meanings

  • hope forverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word