intention, plan, resolve, aspire, motive, hopes, shilling
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.
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.
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.
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.
will; resolution; intention; ambition; aim; goal
will; volition; intention; intent; determination
aspiration; volunteering; desire; application
intention; aim; preference (for); orientation (towards a goal)
like-mindedness; (being of the) same mind; shared sentiment
Records of the Three Kingdoms (Chinese historical text)
wish; desire; ambition; choice
interested person; volunteer; supporter
Shima (former province located at the eastern tip of present-day Mie Prefecture)
to aspire to; to aim for; to intend; to resolve
ambition; aspiration
fighting spirit; (will to) fight
imperial loyalist samurai of the Bakumatsu-era
wishes of a deceased person; dying wish
school of one's (first, second) choice
charity; benevolence; charitable spirit
Doshisha University
great ambition; lofty aspiration
age 15
success story