願(ねが)い

ねがい
noun
wish, desire, request
1. wish, desire, hope
Something one hopes for or wants to happen.
願(ねが)いが叶(かな)った。
My wish came true.
願(ねが)いが叶(かな)う = wish comes true
願(ねが)いが叶(かな)いますように。
May your wish come true.
星(ほし)に願(ねが)いを込(こ)めた。
I made a wish upon a star.
願(ねが)いを込(こ)める = to put one's wish into
子供(こども)の幸(しあわ)せを願(ねが)うのは、親(おや)の一番(いちばん)の願(ねが)いだ。
Hoping for a child's happiness is every parent's greatest wish.
平和(へいわ)への願(ねが)いを込(こ)めて、毎年(まいとし)この祭(まつ)りが行(おこな)われている。
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
退職(たいしょく)願(ねが)いを出(だ)した。
I submitted my resignation request.
〜願(ねが)い = written request for ~
先生(せんせい)に推薦状(すいせんじょう)のお願(ねが)いをした。
I asked my teacher for a letter of recommendation.
休暇(きゅうか)願(ねが)いを書(か)いて、上司(じょうし)に提出(ていしゅつ)した。
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.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 願(ねが)いが叶(かな)う (a wish comes true)
  • 願(ねが)いを込(こ)める (to put one's wish into)
  • お願(ねが)いします (please - polite request)
  • お願(ねが)いがある (to have a request/favor)

FORMAL REQUEST FORMS:

  • 休暇(きゅうか)願(ねが)い (leave request)
  • 退職(たいしょく)願(ねが)い (resignation request)
  • 入学(にゅうがく)願(ねが)書(しょ) (application for admission)

NOTE: お願(ねが)いします is one of the most important polite expressions in Japanese, used for requests and saying 'please'.

Related Words

Related: 願(ねが)う (verb: to wish)
core
Added 2026.1.12 20:47 · Revised 2026.3.1 9:49
03500/03529_negai