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How to say 'Wish' in Japanese | 願い

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

The Japanese word for Wish is 'Negai', written as 願い in Japanese.'Wish' in hiragana is ねがい.

    word

    願い

    Meaning

    Wish

    Reading

    ねがい

    negai

    Kanji

    Request, Wish

    Explanation

    The Japanese noun '願い (ねがい)' means 'wish' or 'desire'. It refers to a strong hope or aspiration for something to happen. This word is often used in formal or heartfelt contexts, such as making a wish at a shrine or expressing a deep personal desire. For example: I have a wish「願いがあります」(ねがいがあります). Her wish came true「彼女の願いが叶った」(かのじょのねがいがかなった). It can also be used in phrases like '願い事 (ねがいごと)' (a wish or something wished for) or '願いを込めて (ねがいをこめて)' (with a wish).

    Part Of Speech

    noun

    Kanji JLPT

    N3

    Kanji Grade

    4

    Frequency

    2971

    Composition

    kanji-hiragana

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 願い

This word contains 1 kanji character:

  • kanji

    Meaning

    Request, Wish

Hiragana in the Word 願い

This word contains 1 Hiragana character :

  • hiragana

    Reading

    I

Words Related to 願い Through the Kanji

These 5 Words contain the Kanji 願 as well.

  • word

    お願い

    Meaning

    Request

  • word

    願う

    Meaning

    Request, Wish

  • word

    願書

    Meaning

    Application

  • word

    本願

    Meaning

    Vow

  • word

    願望

    Meaning

    Desire

Learn the Word 願い

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What does 'Negai' (願い) mean?

'Negai' means 'Wish' .

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