意志
ishi[iɕi]
The English word "will" translates to Japanese as 意志 (ishi).
The word 意志 is used to describe a person's mental faculty, determination or willpower.
Meaning: indicating future action (verb)
Which one should you use?
意志 refers specifically to a person's mental determination or willpower. It is not used as a grammatical marker to indicate the future tense of a verb.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Japanese, 意志 is a noun meaning 'will' or 'volition'. To express the grammatical future tense or an action that will happen, Japanese speakers use different methods such as verb conjugations, auxiliary verbs or specific phrases.
How do you pronounce it?
ishi
Did you know?
- While 意志 describes a person's internal drive, the concept of 'will' in a legal sense, such as a last will and testament, uses a completely different word: 遺言.
- The term 意志 was not a native Japanese concept but was coined by the philosopher Nishi Amane to translate the Western concept of 'will' during the Meiji era.
- In Japanese, stating one's 'will' too strongly in social situations can sometimes be perceived as aggressive or lacking harmony.
Examples in context
- 彼は意志が弱い。He has a weak will.This example shows how to describe someone having a weak will using 意志.Tatoeba #110109 by bunbuku, translation #2768749 by CH
- 彼は意志が強いんだ。He has a strong will.This example illustrates a person having a strong will using 意志.Tatoeba #110110 by bunbuku, translation #293578 by Zifre
- 意志ある所に道あり。Where there's a will, there's a way.This sentence uses 意志 in a common proverb regarding determination.Tatoeba #191063 by arnab, translation #1775 by CM
- 私は日本に行きます。I will go to Japan.
- ご招待いたします。I will have the honor of inviting you.
- 明日、勉強するよ。I will study tomorrow.
- 遅くまで起きているつもりです。I plan to stay awake late.
- 映画を見に行く予定だ。I plan to go see a movie.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Yui are talking about their goals for the new year.
- 大翔 Hiroto今年は絶対に合格する意志があるよ。Kotoshi wa zettai ni gōkaku suru ishi ga aru yo.I have the will to pass the exam this year for sure.
- 結衣 Yui大翔ならできると思うよ。Hiroto nara dekiru to omou yo.I think you can do it, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hiroto強い意志を持って頑張るよ。Tsuyoi ishi o motte ganbaru yo.I will do my best with a strong will.
- 結衣 Yui応援してるね。Ōen shiteru ne.I'm rooting for you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 意志, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 意志, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
