志
Meanings
1
A strong inner determination or aspiration toward a goal; often used in formal or literary contexts.
He had the ambition to become a doctor from a young age.
Hold your aspirations high and work hard.
3
gift (as a token of gratitude)
A small gift given to express thanks or appreciation; often used in polite expressions.
This is just a small token of my gratitude. Please accept it.
Usage patterns
- 〈事〉の志を立てるto set one's mind on an aim or ambition
He set his mind on becoming a doctor.
- 志を抱くto hold an ambition or aspiration
She had held the aspiration to become a writer since childhood.
- 志を遂げるto achieve one's ambition
After years of effort, he finally achieved his ambition.
- 〈人〉の志を無にするto let someone's kindness go to waste
I feel bad for having let his kind offer go to waste.
- 志だけで結構ですjust the kind thought is enough (used to politely decline a gift)
Your kind thought alone is enough; there's no need for a gift.
- 〈物〉を志として渡すto give something as a token gift of gratitude
As thanks for their help, I gave a small gift as a token of appreciation.
Expressions
- 事志と違うnot turn out as one wishes; not go as expected
- 志を同じくするbe like-minded; have the same goal
- 志は松の葉に包めit's the thought that counts (for gifts)
- 匹夫も志を奪うべからずeven a lowly person's will cannot be taken away; a person's convictions should be respected
- 志ある者は事ついに成るwhere there's a will, there's a way
- 燕雀安んぞ鴻鵠の志を知らんやonly a hero can understand a hero; small minds cannot grasp great ambitions