欲
欲·desire
- On-yomi
- ヨク
- Kun-yomi
- ほ(しい)ほっ(する)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 欲しい | ほしい | to want (a thing) |
| 欲望 | よくぼう | desire, craving |
| 食欲 | しょくよく | appetite |
| 意欲 | いよく | motivation, drive |
Example sentences
新しい自転車が欲しい。
あたらしいじてんしゃがほしい。
I want a new bicycle.
夏は食欲が落ちる。
なつはしょくよくがおちる。
My appetite drops in summer.
彼は仕事に対する意欲が高い。
かれはしごとにたいするいよくがたかい。
He is highly motivated about his work.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Using 欲しい about another person's wants — for a third party Japanese needs 欲しがっている
- Reading 食欲 as しょくほし; compounds use ヨク
Memory aid
Picture it
A valley (谷) beside a wide-open mouth (欠) — a hunger big enough to swallow a valley.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
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What does the kanji 欲 mean?