Japanese word

本願

Pronunciation

Romajihongan

Meaning

  • nounlong-cherished desire

Example

長年の本願が、やっとかないました。naga nen no hon gan ga ya tto ka na i ma shi ta

My long-cherished desire has finally come true.

Illustration for 本願 (long-cherished desire)

More examples

その作家は本願をかなえるために、毎日書き続けています。so no sak ka wa hon gan o ka na e ru ta me ni mai nichi ka ki tsuzu ke te i ma su

The writer keeps writing every day to fulfill a long-cherished desire.

Core concept

本願 (hongan) centers on a deeply held desire that remains important over a long period rather than a passing wish.

Common phrases

  • 本願をかなえるhon gan o ka na e ru

    fulfill a long-cherished desire

Similar words

願いnegai: A wish for a particular outcome.
念願nengan: A long-held desire that a person has continued to hope to fulfill.
希望kibō: A desired future outcome that a person believes may be possible.

Definition in Japanese

長い間、実現を強く願い続けている大切な望み。naga i aida jitsu gen o tsuyo ku nega i tsuzu ke te i ru tai setsu na nozo mi

Word origin

本願 (hongan) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 本 (hon, "main" or "original") and 願 (gan, "wish" or "vow"); in Buddhism, it also refers to an original vow.

Usage tips

  • In modern conversation, 本願 (hongan) is less casual than 願い (negai) and presents a wish as a serious, long-term personal goal.

Word lists with this word