願う・願います

Japanese Grammar Advanced Japanese ★★★ 3/5 formal ねがう・ねがいますnegau / negaimasu
Reading ねがう・ねがいます
Romaji negau / negaimasu
Formation お + Verb stem + 願います / Noun + を願う / ～ていただけますようお願い申し上げます
Kanji breakdown 願 (ねが): wish, request, petition

Meaning

A verb meaning 'to wish' or 'to request,' used to make polite requests or express earnest wishes. In its polite forms, it functions as a formal request expression in business and official contexts.

願う (negau) expresses both wishes and requests, with the specific nuance depending on the construction. お願いします is one of the most common polite request forms in Japanese. More formal variants include 願います, ～をお願いいたします, ～ていただけますようお願い申し上げます, and ～願いたい. In official documents and announcements, ～を願います or ～されますよう願います functions as a directive. The verb also expresses personal wishes and prayers: 成功を願う (to wish for success). In contrast to 頼む (to ask/request), which is more casual and direct, 願う carries formality, earnestness, and sometimes a sense of entreaty. The ～ないことを願う pattern expresses hope that something negative will not happen.

Examples

  1. 子供たちの幸せな未来を願う気持ちは万国共通だ。 The feeling of wishing for children's happy futures is universal.
  2. 二度とこのような事故が起きないことを願うばかりだ。 I can only hope that an accident like this never happens again.
  3. 皆様のご健康とご多幸を願い、年始のご挨拶とさせていただきます。 Wishing you all good health and happiness, I offer this New Year's greeting.

Usage Guide

Context: written, spoken, business

Tone: earnest

Do Say

  • 今後とも変わらぬご支援を賜りますようお願い申し上げます。
  • 患者の一日も早い回復を願ってやまない。
  • ご多忙のところ恐縮ですが、ご出席をお願いできますでしょうか。

Don't Say

  • 窓を開けることを願います。(Using 願います for a trivial everyday request — 願う is reserved for formal or earnest contexts; use ～てください instead) → 窓を開けてください。
  • 試験に受かることを願いいたします。(Incorrect conjugation — 願いいたします is malformed; use 願っております for wishes or お願いいたします for requests) → 試験に受かることを願っております。

Origin & History

願う derives from the classical verb ねがふ, meaning 'to earnestly desire' or 'to pray for.' Its use in formal requests developed through honorific language conventions, where 願う became a polite alternative to 頼む for making requests to superiors.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Related Phrases

いくら A Wh-word that asks about the amount, price, or degree of something. As an interrogative, it means 'how much.' It also functions in concessive constructions meaning 'no matter how much.' だって (even) A particle meaning 'even' or 'too,' attached to nouns or pronouns to emphasize that something applies to the indicated person or thing as well, often unexpectedly. It is colloquial and emphatic. だって (reason) A conjunction used at the beginning of a sentence to indicate a reason or justification for something previously mentioned. It translates as 'because,' 'after all,' or 'but the thing is,' and carries a slightly defensive or explanatory tone. っけ A colloquial sentence-final particle used when the speaker is trying to recall or confirm something they once knew. It conveys a sense of vague recollection and invites either self-reflection or gentle confirmation from the listener. か否か A conjunctive phrase meaning 'whether or not,' used when the speaker or writer deliberates about or questions whether something is the case. It presents two opposing possibilities in a formal manner. そもそも（の） An adverb meaning 'in the first place' or 'to begin with,' used when the speaker questions or comments on the fundamental premise of a situation. With の, it functions as a noun modifier meaning 'fundamental' or 'original.' だの A conjunction used to list nouns or quoted statements inexhaustively, similar to 'such things as' or 'and... and...' It often carries a dismissive, critical, or exasperated tone toward the items listed. やら (self-addressed question) A sentence-final particle that marks a self-addressed question or expression of uncertainty. The speaker wonders about something without expecting an answer, conveying bewilderment, worry, or resignation.
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