祈(いの)る

いのる
verb (godan)
to pray, to wish
1. to pray
To address a deity or spiritual power with requests, thanks, or devotion. Used for religious prayer or earnest supplication.
神社(じんじゃ)で祈(いの)りました。
I prayed at the shrine.
家族(かぞく)の健康(けんこう)を祈(いの)っています。
I'm praying for my family's health.
を marks what you pray/wish for
毎朝(まいあさ)神(かみ)に祈(いの)っている。
I pray to God every morning.
に marks the object of prayer
2. to wish, to hope earnestly
To deeply hope for something, often for another person's wellbeing. Used in expressions of goodwill.
ご成功(せいこう)を祈(いの)ります。
I wish you success.
Common polite expression when wishing someone well
家族(かぞく)の健康(けんこう)を祈(いの)っています。
I'm praying for my family's health.
を marks what you pray/wish for
平和(へいわ)を祈(いの)る。
Wish for peace.

TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive). Pattern: Xを祈(いの)る (pray for X) / Xに祈(いの)る (pray to X—less common). No intransitive pair.

ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing state. 祈(いの)っている = 'is praying' or 'have been wishing (continuously).'

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 幸(しあわ)せを祈(いの)る (wish for happiness)
  • 成功(せいこう)を祈(いの)る (pray for success)
  • 神(かみ)に祈(いの)る (pray to god)
  • ご無事(ぶじ)を祈(いの)ります (I pray for your safety—polite)
  • 祈(いの)りを捧(ささ)げる (offer a prayer—formal)

CONTEXT: Used for both religious prayer (at shrines, temples, churches) and secular well-wishing. In Japanese culture, 祈(いの)る at a shrine (神社(じんじゃ)) typically involves clapping and bowing.

REGISTER: Neutral to slightly formal. Often used in polite expressions of goodwill.

general
Added 2026.1.8 19:33 · Revised 2026.3.7 9:53
01000/01198_inoru