渇望
katsubō[ka̠t͡sɨbo̞ː]
The English word craving can be translated into Japanese as 渇望 (katsubō) or 切望 (setsubō).
Meaning: strong desire, yearning (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 渇望 | katsubō | [ka̠t͡sɨbo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 切望 | setsubō |
The term 渇望 (katsubō) conveys a strong longing or yearning for something.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 渇望 (katsubō) is composed of the characters for "thirst" (渇) and "desire/hope" (望), literally meaning a thirsting desire.
Which one should you use?
While 渇望 (katsubō) implies a desperate, almost physical thirst or intense craving, 切望 (setsubō) emphasizes a sincere and earnest longing or a heartfelt wish.
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the noun 渇望 into the verb "to crave", you add the verb する (suru) to the end to form 渇望する (katsubō suru).
How do you pronounce it?
katsubō
Did you know?
- The character 切 (se) in the formal word for craving, 切望 (setsubō), originally meant 'to cut'. This suggests that an earnest, heartfelt longing is something that metaphorically cuts or pierces the heart.
- While 渇望 is used for profound desires, the word 無性に (mushō ni) is used for sudden food cravings. This term literally translates to 'without reason', suggesting that these cravings are irrational impulses.
- While English uses 'craving' for everything from spiritual enlightenment to a bag of chips, 渇望 (katsubō) is almost exclusively reserved for profound, high-stakes desires like power or freedom. Using it for a snack would sound unintentionally hilarious.
Examples in context
- 彼は成功への渇望に駆られているHe is driven by a craving for success.
- 自由への渇望が止まらない。Jiyū e no katsubō ga tomaranai.The craving for freedom will not stop.
- 彼は成功への渇望を抱いている。Kare wa seikō e no katsubō o idaite iru.He harbors a craving for success.
- 平和への渇望は世界共通だ。Heiwa e no katsubō wa sekai kyōtsū da.The craving for peace is universal.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a historical novel they just read.
- 陽太 Yota主人公の権力への渇望がすごかったね。Shujinkō no kenryoku e no katsubō ga sugokatta ne.The protagonist's craving for power was intense, wasn't it?
- 陽葵 Himari本当に、読んでいて怖いくらいだった。Hontō ni, yonde ite kowai kurai datta.Truly, it was almost scary to read.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵は、もっと穏やかな物語が好き？Himari wa, motto odoyaka na monogatari ga suki?Himari, do you prefer calmer stories?
- 陽葵 Himariそうね、もう少し優しい話が読みたいわ。Sō ne, mō sukoshi yasashii hanashi ga yomitai wa.Yes, I want to read something a little gentler.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “craving” translations and entries 渇望, 切望, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
