そう願う
sō negau
The English phrase "hope so" can be expressed in Japanese as そう願う (sō negau).
そう願う is used to express a desire for a particular outcome to be true. In casual conversation, you might use other phrases depending on your specific sentiment. For example, if you want to say "It would be nice if it's like that," you can use the informal そうだといいな. If you want to express the hope that things will somehow work out, you can use the informal phrase なんとかなるといい.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 願う means to hope, to wish or to pray.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that you are currently in a continuous state of hoping for something, you can use the progressive form そう願っています.
How do you pronounce it?
sō negau
Did you know?
- The verb 願う is frequently used in the phrase お願い to say 'please'. This transforms the act of hoping into a social request for help.
- If you want to say 'I hope so' regarding a situation's success, you might use うまくいくといいな. This focuses on the 'smoothness' or 'skillful' movement of events rather than just the concept of hope.
- Japanese has several words for 'hope' depending on the level of certainty. 願う is a request or wish, whereas 希望 is used for a more concrete, objective goal or ambition.
Examples in context
- 合格できることを願っています。I hope I can pass.
- 明日雨が降らないといいな。I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow.
- テストが上手くいくといいな。I hope the test goes well.
- そう願うばかりです。sō negau bakari desu.I can only hope so.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are talking about the weather for their trip.
- 美咲 Misaki明日は晴れるかな？Ashita wa hareru kana?I wonder if it will be sunny tomorrow?
- 蓮 Renきっと晴れると思うよ。Kitto hareru to omou yo.I think it will definitely be sunny.
- 美咲 Misaki本当にそう願うわ。Hontou ni sou negau wa.I really hope so.
- 蓮 Renきっと大丈夫だよ。Kitto daijoubu da yo.I'm sure it'll be fine.
