Japanese word

狙い

Pronunciation

Romajinerai

Meaning

  • nounaim

Example

この計画の狙いは何ですか。ko no kei kaku no nera i wa nan de su ka

What is the aim of this plan?

Illustration for 狙い (aim)

More examples

この質問には相手の本音を聞き出す狙いがあります。ko no shitsu mon ni wa ai te no hon ne o ki ki da su nera i ga a ri ma su

This question is intended to draw out the other person's true feelings.

Core concept

Centers on what an action or plan is meant to achieve.

Common phrases

  • 狙いがあるnera i ga a ru

    have a purpose

  • 狙いを定めるnera i o sada me ru

    take aim

  • 狙い通りnera i tō ri

    as intended

  • 狙いが外れるnera i ga hazu re ru

    miss the mark

  • 狙いを見抜くnera i o mi nu ku

    see through the intention

Similar words

目的mokuteki: The desired result that an action or plan is meant to produce.
意図ito: The purpose that guides an action, statement, or design.
目標mokuhyō: A specific result or level set for future achievement.

Definition in Japanese

ある計画や行動で実現しようと意図する目的。a ru kei kaku ya kō dō de jitsu gen shi yō to i to su ru moku teki

Word origin

狙い (nerai) comes from the verb 狙う (nerau, "to aim at") through its continuative form, extending the idea of an aimed-at target to a purpose.

Usage tips

  • 狙い (nerai) can describe the intended effect of a remark, design, or strategy, so it applies to smaller actions as well as major plans.

Other meanings

  • purposenoun
  • intentionnoun

Word lists with this word