1.
hope, wish, desire
Something that one hopes for or aspires to; an expectation or aspiration.
望みを持つ。
To have hope.
望みを捨てないでください。
Please don't give up hope.
望みを捨てる = to abandon hope
彼女の望みは医者になることだ。
Her wish is to become a doctor.
親の望み通りに生きるのは難しい。
It's hard to live the way your parents want.
望み通り = as one wishes
子供の頃からの望みが、やっと叶った。
A wish I'd had since childhood finally came true.
2.
prospects, chance
The possibility or likelihood of success.
望みはまだある。
There is still hope.
回復の望みは薄い。
The chances of recovery are slim.
望みが薄い = slim hopes/chances
合格の望みはゼロではない。
The chance of passing isn't zero.
勝つ望みがないと分かっていても、最後まで戦った。
Even knowing there was no chance of winning, they fought to the end.
天気が良くなる望みは薄いが、試合は予定通り行われる。
Although there's little hope of better weather, the match will be held as scheduled.
USAGE: 望み is the noun form of 望む (to hope, to desire). It refers to hopes, wishes, and prospects.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 望みを持つ (to have hope)
- 望みを叶える (to fulfill a wish)
- 望みを捨てる (to abandon hope)
- 望みが{ある／ない} (there is/isn't hope)
- 望みが薄い (hope is slim)
- 望み通り (as one wishes)
NOTE: のぞみ is also the name of Japan's fastest Shinkansen (bullet train) service, symbolizing 'hope' for fast travel.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 願い - wish, request
- 希望 - hope, wish (more formal)
- 夢 - dream