願
petition, request, vow, wish, hope
Readings
On'yomi
- ガン
Kun'yomi
- ねが.う
- -ねがい
Nanori
- ら
Meaning
願 centers on a heartfelt desire directed outward: wishing for something, hoping, making a request, or a formal petition. The vow sense is a strong, committed form of that same wish.
Most common words using 願
20 of 125- お願いおねがいN1
request; favour (to ask); wish
- 願いねがいN3
desire; wish; hope
- 願うねがうN3
to desire; to wish; to hope
- 願望がんぼうN1
desire; wish; aspiration
- 志願しがん
aspiration; volunteering; desire; application
- 願がん
prayer; wish; vow
- 祈願きがんN1
prayer (for something); supplication
- 念願ねんがんN1
one's heart's desire; one's dearest wish
- 懇願こんがん
pleading; entreaty; supplication; petition
- 出願しゅつがんN1
application; filing an application
- 願い事ねがいごと
wish; desire; request; prayer
- 悲願ひがん
one's dearest wish
- 嘆願たんがん
entreaty; appeal; petition
- 請願せいがんN1
petition
- 願書がんしょN2
(written) application; written request; petition
- 他力本願たりきほんがん
salvation by faith in Amitabha
- 願い出ねがいで
application; petition
- 本願ほんがん
Amida Buddha's original vow; long-cherished desire
- 願掛けがんかけ
making a prayer (to a god or Buddha)
- 願い下げねがいさげ
cancellation; withdrawal
Study
Etymology
願 combines 原 (origin, source) with 頁 (head), suggesting a wish or desire that comes from deep within one's head or heart. The 原 component likely also contributes the sound.
Meaning mnemonic
A wish originates (原) in the head (頁): picture a thought bubbling up from deep within your mind and forming a clear desire.
Reading mnemonic
For ガン, imagine a determined person named Gan who always gets what he wishes for: Gan -> ガン, and his head is full of strong hopes.