願
願·wish, request, pray
- On-yomi
- ガン
- Kun-yomi
- ねがう
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 願う | ねがう | to wish, to request |
| お願い | おねがい | a request, 'please' |
| 願い事 | ねがいごと | a wish |
| 志願 | しがん | volunteering, applying |
Example sentences
よろしくお願いします。
よろしくおねがいします。
Thank you in advance; I'm counting on you.
みなさんの健康を願っています。
みなさんのけんこうをねがっています。
I wish you all good health.
神社で願い事を書きました。
じんじゃでねがいごとをかきました。
I wrote down a wish at the shrine.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 志願 as *しねがい instead of しがん
- Treating お願いします as only 'please' — it also functions as 'I'm counting on you' at introductions and handovers
Memory aid
Picture it
原 (an open plain) plus 頁 (head) — bowing your head out on the open field to make a wish.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5
What does the kanji 願 mean?