Japanese word

欲求

Pronunciation

Romajiyokkyū

Meaning

  • noundesire

Example

人には新しいことを学ぶ欲求があります。hito ni wa atara shi i ko to o mana bu yok kyū ga a ri ma su

People have a desire to learn new things.

Illustration for 欲求 (desire)

More examples

買い物への欲求を抑えることは簡単ではありません。ka i mono e no yok kyū o osa e ru ko to wa kan tan de wa a ri ma se n

It is not easy to control the desire to go shopping.

Core concept

Presents a strong inner drive that directs a person toward a desired thing or experience.

Common phrases

  • 欲求を満たすyok kyū o mi ta su

    satisfy a desire

  • 欲求を抑えるyok kyū o osa e ru

    curb a desire

  • 欲求が高まるyok kyū ga taka ma ru

    a desire intensifies

Similar words

欲望yokubō: A strong desire for something that a person wants to possess or experience.
願いnegai: A wish for something to happen or become true.
希望kibō: A positive expectation that a desired result may happen.
意欲iyoku: A strong willingness to do something or achieve a goal.

Definition in Japanese

物事を得たい、または成し遂げたいと強く望む気持ち。mono goto o e ta i ma ta wa na shi to ge ta i to tsuyo ku nozo mu ki mo chi

Word origin

欲求 (yokkyū) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 欲 (yoku, "desire") and 求 (kyū, "seek"), whose combined sense is a strong wish to obtain something.

Usage tips

  • 欲求 (yokkyū) can describe both physical drives, as in 食欲 (shokuyoku, "appetite"), and mental aims, as in 知識欲 (chishikiyoku, "desire for knowledge").

Other meanings

  • urgenoun
  • cravingnoun

Opposites

  • 無欲muyokulack of desirenoun

Word lists with this word