How to say 'Desire' in Japanese | 願望

Wondering how to say 'Desire' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Desire is 'Ganbou', written as 願望 in Japanese.'Desire' in hiragana is がんぼう.

word

願望

Meaning

Desire

Reading

がんぼう

ganbou

Kanji

願Request, Wish 望Hope, Ambition

Explanation

The Japanese noun '願望 (がんぼう)' means 'desire' or 'wish'. It refers to a strong feeling of wanting something or wishing for something to happen. This word is often used in formal or literary contexts to express deep aspirations or longings. For example: His desire for success is strong「彼の成功への願望は強い」(かれのせいこうへのがんぼうはつよい). She has a wish to travel the world「彼女は世界を旅したいという願望がある」(かのじょはせかいをたびしたいというがんぼうがある). The word can also be used in psychological contexts to describe subconscious desires or aspirations.

Part Of Speech

noun

Kanji JLPT

Kanji Grade

Frequency

6584

Composition

kanji

Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 願望

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

kanji

願

Meaning

Request, Wish

kanji

望

Meaning

Hope, Ambition

Words Related to 願望 Through the Kanji 願

These 5 Words contain the Kanji 願 as well.

word

お願い

Meaning

Request

word

願う

Meaning

Request, Wish

word

願い

Meaning

Wish

word

願書

Meaning

Application

word

本願

Meaning

Vow

Words Related to 願望 Through the Kanji 望

These 11 Words contain the Kanji 望 as well.

word

望む

Meaning

Desire, Hope

word

希望

Meaning

Hope

word

失望

Meaning

Disappointment

word

欲望

Meaning

Desire

word

望ましい

Meaning

Desirable

word

絶望

Meaning

Despair

word

望み

Meaning

Hope

word

展望

Meaning

View

word

要望

Meaning

Request

word

有望

Meaning

Promising

word

待ち望む

Meaning

Eagerly await

Learn the Word 願望

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What does 'Ganbou' (願望) mean?

'Ganbou' means 'Desire' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.