願う
negau[ne̞ɡa̠ɯ̟]
The Japanese phrase for "you hope for something" is 願う (negau).
The verb 願う is used to express wanting something to happen or wishing for a specific outcome.
How does it change in a sentence?
願う is an intransitive verb that takes the particle を (wo) to indicate the object of one's hope or wish.
How do you pronounce it?
negau
Did you know?
- The word for 'wish' can be turned into a single noun, お願い (onegai), which serves as the standard way to say 'please' in daily life. This transforms a deep desire into a common social lubricant for asking for favors.
- If you want to wish for something specifically at a temple, you might write your 願い事 (negaigoto) on an ema, a small wooden plaque. This turns your internal hope into a physical object left for the spirits.
- The historical root of 願う includes an auxiliary verb that suggests a state of repetition. This implies that, linguistically, a 'hope' is not just a fleeting thought but a continuous, persisting feeling.
Examples in context
- お大事に、早く回復されることを願っていますTake care, I hope you recover quickly
- あなたの成功を心から願っていますI sincerely wish for your success
- 平和を願う。heiwa o negau.I wish for peace.
- 成功を願うばかりだ。seikou o negau bakari da.I just hope for success.
Example conversation
Misaki and Kenta are talking about an upcoming exam.
- 美咲 Misaki試験、合格を願っているよ。shiken, goukaku o negatte iru yo.I'm hoping you pass the exam.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、美咲さん。arigatou, misaki-san.Thank you, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misaki健太くんの努力が実るよう、願うね。kenta-kun no doryoku ga mijiru you, negau ne.I hope your hard work pays off, Kenta.
- 健太 Kentaうん、絶対頑張るよ。un, zettai ganbaru yo.Yeah, I will definitely do my best.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 願う, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 願う, CC BY-SA 4.0.
