望み

• Reading: のぞみ
• Romaji: nozomi
• Kanji breakdown: 望 (bou/nozo) — wish, desire, gaze
• Pronunciation: /no.zo.mi/

Meaning

Wish; desire; hope; something one aspires to.

A noun derived from the verb 望む (nozomu, to wish/desire). Expresses heartfelt wishes, aspirations, or expectations. Common patterns: 望みが叶う (nozomi ga kanau, a wish comes true), 望みを捨てる (nozomi wo suteru, to give up hope), 望み通り (nozomi doori, as one wishes). Carries a slightly more literary or elevated tone than 希望 (kibou). Also famously the name of Japan's fastest Shinkansen service.

Examples

1. 彼の一番の望みは家族の幸せだった。 His greatest wish was for the happiness of his family.
2. まだ望みを捨てるのは早い。 It's too early to give up hope.
3. 望み通りの結果が出てうれしかった。 I was happy that things turned out just as I'd hoped.

Usage Guide

Context: aspirations, literature, personal goals

Tone: earnest

Origin & History

Noun form of 望む (nozomu). The kanji 望 depicts a person (亡) looking at the moon (月) from a high place (王), symbolising gazing into the distance with longing.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal