願い

• Reading: ねがい
• Romaji: negai
• Kanji breakdown: 願 (gan/nega) — wish, request, prayer
• Pronunciation: /ne.ɡa.i/

Meaning

A wish, desire, or request; a heartfelt hope for something.

A noun derived from the verb 願う (negau, to wish/pray). Used for both casual wishes and formal requests. Common expressions: 願いが叶う (negai ga kanau, a wish comes true), お願いします (onegai shimasu, please/I request), 願い事 (negaigoto, a wish). Culturally significant in Tanabata festival where wishes are written on paper strips.

Examples

1. 七夕に短冊に願いを書いた。 I wrote my wish on a paper strip for Tanabata.
2. 長年の願いがやっと叶った。 My long-held wish finally came true.
3. 世界の平和は多くの人の願いだ。 World peace is the wish of many people.

Usage Guide

Context: festivals, prayers, daily life

Tone: hopeful

Origin & History

Noun form of 願う. The kanji 願 combines 原 (original/field) and 頁 (head/page), suggesting bowing one's head in earnest prayer or request.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal