願(ねが)い

ねがい

noun

wish, desire, request

1. wish, desire, hope

Something one hopes for or wants to happen.

My wish came true.

願(ねが)いが叶(かな)う = wish comes true

May your wish come true.

I made a wish upon a star.

願(ねが)いを込(こ)める = to put one's wish into

Hoping for a child's happiness is every parent's greatest wish.

This festival is held every year with a wish for peace.

2. request, petition

A formal or polite request for something.

お願(ねが)いがあります。

I have a request (favor to ask).

お願(ねが)い = request, favor

お願(ねが)いします。

Please. / I'd appreciate it.

One of the most common polite expressions in Japanese

I submitted my resignation request.

〜願(ねが)い = written request for ~

I asked my teacher for a letter of recommendation.

I wrote a leave request and submitted it to my boss.

休暇(きゅうか)願(ねが)い = leave request

Usage: 願(ねが)い is the noun form of 願(ねが)う (to wish). It's used for hopes, wishes, and formal requests.

The request sense is nearly always お願(ねが)い; a bare 願(ねが)い in speech means 'wish'. In document titles the い is usually dropped: 退職願(たいしょくねがい).

Related Words

core

Added 2026.1.12 20:47 · Revised 2026.9.29 6:04

03500/03529_negai