願望(がんぼう)

がんぼう
noun
desire, wish
1. desire, wish, longing
A strong feeling of wanting something or wishing for something to happen.
強(つよ)い願望(がんぼう)を持(も)つ。
To have a strong desire.
願望(がんぼう)を叶(かな)えるために努力(どりょく)する。
I work hard to fulfill my wishes.
海外(かいがい)留学(りゅうがく)は長年(ながねん)の願望(がんぼう)だった。
Studying abroad was a long-held desire of mine.
彼(かれ)には出世(しゅっせ)への強(つよ)い願望(がんぼう)がある。
He has a strong desire for career advancement.
子供(こども)の頃(ころ)からの願望(がんぼう)がやっと叶(かな)って、自分(じぶん)の店(みせ)を開(ひら)くことができた。
My childhood wish finally came true, and I was able to open my own shop.

願望(がんぼう) refers to a deep, heartfelt wish or desire — something one earnestly hopes for. It carries a more personal and emotional tone than 希望(きぼう).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 願望(がんぼう)を持(も)つ: to have a desire
  • 願望(がんぼう)を叶(かな)える: to fulfill a wish
  • 強(つよ)い願望(がんぼう): strong desire
  • 潜在的(せんざいてき)願望(がんぼう): latent/subconscious desire
  • 長年(ながねん)の願望(がんぼう): a long-held desire

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 希望(きぼう): hope, wish (more neutral and practical; used for requests and applications)
  • 欲望(よくぼう): desire, lust (often negative; implies greed or excessive want)
  • 望(のぞ)み: wish, desire (literary and poetic)
  • 願(ねが)い: wish, request (everyday; also used for prayers and formal requests)

REGISTER:
Slightly literary. More common in written language, psychology (願望(がんぼう)充足(じゅうそく) = wish fulfillment), and formal speech than in casual conversation.

Related Words

Synonym: 欲望(よくぼう) (desire (stronger))
Related: 願(ねが)い (wish, request)
core
Added 2026.1.16 11:32 · Revised 2026.4.4 11:26
05000/05085_ganbou