嗜し欲よく

Meanings

Refers to a strong personal liking or craving, often with a nuance of indulgence or weakness for something. Somewhat literary or formal.

彼かれは甘あまいものに嗜し欲よくが深ふかい。
He has a deep fondness for sweets.
嗜し欲よくに負まけて、つい食たべ過すぎてしまった。
I gave in to my appetite and ended up overeating.

Kanji

嗜like, taste, modest
欲longing, covetousness, greed
慾covetousness, greed, passion
耆senility

Related words

欲よく望ぼう
欲望 is a more common and general word for desire or craving, while 嗜欲 is more specific to personal tastes and indulgences, often with a literary flavor.
嗜し好こう
嗜好 refers to taste or preference, often in a neutral sense, whereas 嗜欲 implies a stronger, almost compulsive liking or indulgence.

Written forms

嗜し欲よく
Standard kanji form for this word.
嗜し慾よく
Variant using 慾 instead of 欲; less common.
耆し欲よく
Rare variant with 耆; may be encountered in older texts.

Etymology

Composed of 嗜 (to like, to be fond of) and 欲 (desire, craving). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the combination conveys a strong personal appetite or indulgence.