Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
意志 (いし, ishi) Japanese meaning: will | Kotomora
Report an issue with this page
し
で
困こん
難なん
を
乗の
り
越こ
え
た
。
He overcame the difficulties with strong will.
I chose this path of my own volition, so I have no regrets.
Usage patterns 意い 志し が 強つよ い to have a strong will
He has a strong will and sees his goals through to the end.
意い 志し が 弱よわ い to have a weak will
The reason I can't keep up my diet is that I have a weak will.
〈 人ひと 〉 の 意い 志し で of one's own free will; by one's own decision
She quit the company of her own free will.
意い 志し を 持も つ to have (a) will/resolve
I took on the new job with a strong sense of determination.
Expressions 意い 志し の 強つよ い strong-willed; strong-minded; having great willpower Kanji 志 intention, plan, resolve Related words· 6 決意 is the act of firmly deciding on a course of action, whereas 意志 refers to the underlying willpower or resolve itself.
意欲 emphasizes eager motivation or drive toward something, while 意志 emphasizes the deliberate will to act regardless of desire.
意向 refers to one's stated intention or leaning on a matter, while 意志 refers to the deeper, more resolute will behind actions.
意志 is the standard native Japanese word for a person's determination or willpower, while ウイル is a rare English loanword carrying the same nuance.
Show 2 more 意志 is the general, everyday word for will or determination, while 志 carries a nobler, long-term sense of aspiration.
意志 stresses firm will or determination, while 意 is a broader, softer term covering any thought or feeling one has in mind.
Don't confuse with 意志 stresses inner willpower or determination, while 意思 is the more formal/legal term for one's intention or decision.
意識 (awareness/consciousness) and 意志 (will/intention) sound alike but refer to very different mental concepts.
遺志 and 意志 are pronounced identically but 遺志 means the wishes left by someone who has died, while 意志 means a living person's will or determination.
Etymology 意志 is a Sino-Japanese word composed of 意 (mind, thought) and 志 (aspiration, will). The combination conveys the idea of a determined mind or will.
じ
N1
意地 (いじ) means stubbornness or pride, while 意志 (いし) means will or intention in a neutral, positive sense; learners often mix up the similar kanji and sound.
