Skip to content
Kotomora

志

intention, plan, resolve, aspire, motive, hopes, shilling

JLPTN2StatusJōyō · grade 5FrequencyTop 1,000Strokes7

Readings

On'yomi

  • シ

Kun'yomi

  • シリング
  • こころざ.す
  • こころざし

Nanori

  • じん
  • べ
  • べし
  • ゆき

Meaning

志 centers on a directed inner drive: a clear intention, a plan, or a firm resolve to achieve something. It covers both the mental aim (aspiration, motive, hopes) and the determination behind it.

Most common words using 志

20 of 119
  • 志こころざし
    N1

    will; resolution; intention; ambition; aim; goal

  • 意志いし
    N3

    will; volition; intention; intent; determination

  • 志願しがん

    aspiration; volunteering; desire; application

  • 志向しこう
    N1

    intention; aim; preference (for); orientation (towards a goal)

  • 同志どうし
    N1

    like-mindedness; (being of the) same mind; shared sentiment

  • 三国志さんごくし

    Records of the Three Kingdoms (Chinese historical text)

  • 志望しぼう
    N2

    wish; desire; ambition; choice

  • 有志ゆうし

    interested person; volunteer; supporter

  • 志摩しま

    Shima (former province located at the eastern tip of present-day Mie Prefecture)

  • 志すこころざす
    N2

    to aspire to; to aim for; to intend; to resolve

  • 大志たいし

    ambition; aspiration

  • 闘志とうし

    fighting spirit; (will to) fight

  • 志士しし

    imperial loyalist samurai of the Bakumatsu-era

  • 遺志いし

    wishes of a deceased person; dying wish

  • 志望校しぼうこう

    school of one's (first, second) choice

  • 篤志とくし

    charity; benevolence; charitable spirit

  • 同志社大学どうししゃだいがく

    Doshisha University

  • 雄志ゆうし

    great ambition; lofty aspiration

  • 志学しがく

    age 15

  • 立志伝りっしでん

    success story

Explore all words using 志 →

Study

Etymology

志 combines 士 (a person, often a scholar or warrior) with 心 (heart/mind), suggesting a person's heart-felt direction or will. The exact historical development is broadly accepted as a semantic compound.

Meaning mnemonic

A person (士) with a heart (心) set on a goal: that is intention and resolve. Picture a samurai holding his heart in his hands, focusing all his will on his plan.

Reading mnemonic

For シ, imagine a person with a strong will saying "She will achieve her plan!" The word "she" sounds like シ, and her determination matches the kanji's meaning.