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What is the Kanji for 'Desire' and 'Longing'? | 欲

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Desire' and 'Longing', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Desire' and 'Longing' is 欲.

    kanji

    欲

    Meaning

    Desire, Longing

    Reading

    kunyomiほ

    ho

    onyomiよく

    yoku

    Parts

    谷Valley 欠Lack

    Example Word

    欲しい: want. The Japanese adjective '欲しい (ほしい)' means 'want'. It is used to express a desire for something or someone. This word is often used to indicate that the speaker wants a specific object or outcome. For example: I want a new car「新しい車が欲しい」(あたらしいくるまがほしい). She wants that book「彼女はその本が欲しい」(かのじょはそのほんがほしい). It can also be used to express a desire for someone to do something, as in 'I want you to come with me'「一緒に来て欲しい」(いっしょにきてほしい). Note that '欲しい' is typically used for tangible objects or specific actions, and it conveys a personal desire.

    Radical

    欠

    Stroke Count

    11

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    6

    Frequency

    767

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 欲

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    谷

    Meaning

    Valley

    kanji

    欠

    Meaning

    Lack

Words Using 欲

This kanji is used in 8 words:

    word

    欲

    Meaning

    Desire

    word

    欲張り

    Meaning

    Greedy

    word

    欲望

    Meaning

    Desire

    word

    欲しい

    Meaning

    Want

    word

    欲しがる

    Meaning

    Want

    word

    欲求

    Meaning

    Demand, Desire

    word

    食欲

    Meaning

    Appetite

    word

    意欲

    Meaning

    Motivation

Kanji Related to 欲 Through the Part 谷

These 4 kanji contain the part 谷 as well.

    kanji

    俗

    Meaning

    Vulgar, Popular

    kanji

    浴

    Meaning

    Bathe

    kanji

    容

    Meaning

    Contain, Looks

    kanji

    裕

    Meaning

    Abundant

Kanji Related to 欲 Through the Part 欠

These 10 kanji contain the part 欠 as well.

    kanji

    軟

    Meaning

    Soft

    kanji

    欧

    Meaning

    Europe, Europe

    kanji

    歓

    Meaning

    Rejoice, Delight

    kanji

    歌

    Meaning

    Song

    kanji

    欺

    Meaning

    Deceit, Deceive

    kanji

    次

    Meaning

    Next

    kanji

    吹

    Meaning

    Breathe out, Blow

    kanji

    飲

    Meaning

    Drink

    kanji

    炊

    Meaning

    Boil, Cook

    kanji

    款

    Meaning

    Article, Goodwill

Learn the Kanji 欲

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 欲 mean?

欲 means 'Desire' and 'Longing'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Sixth Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

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