Japanese word

願い

Pronunciation

Romajinegai

Meaning

  • nounwish

Example

私の願いは家族が元気でいることです。watashi no nega i wa ka zoku ga gen ki de i ru ko to de su

My wish is for my family to stay healthy.

Illustration for 願い (wish)

More examples

長年の願いがついにかないました。naga nen no nega i ga tsu i ni ka na i ma shi ta

My longtime wish finally came true.

Core concept

Centers on a desired state or outcome that a person holds in mind and hopes will come true.

Common phrases

  • 願いをかなえるnega i o ka na e ru

    fulfill a wish

  • 願いがかなうnega i ga ka na u

    have one's wish come true

  • 願いを伝えるnega i o tsuta e ru

    express a wish

Similar words

望みnozomi: A hope or desire for a particular outcome.
希望kibō: A desired future state or outcome that seems possible.

Definition in Japanese

実現してほしいと心に思う事柄。jitsu gen shi te ho shi i to kokoro ni omo u koto gara

Word origin

願い (negai) is the noun form of 願う (negau, "to wish or hope"), created from the verb stem as a noun for what is wished for.

Usage tips

  • The polite phrase お願いします (onegai shimasu) uses 願い (negai) when a private wish becomes a request directed at another person.

Other meanings

  • hopenoun
  • desirenoun

Word lists with this word