1.
aspiration; ambition; goal; will
A strong desire to achieve something significant. One's purpose or aim in life, especially regarding career, contribution to society, or personal growth.
2.
goodwill; kind intention; gift (as token of appreciation)
A gesture of appreciation or goodwill. Also refers to a small gift or monetary offering as an expression of gratitude or respect.
志 is a settled aspiration one holds and directs one's life by — closer to 'resolve' or 'calling' than to a wish. It is a dignified, somewhat formal word: an everyday goal is a 目標, while a 志 implies something one commits to over years. It is the noun of 志す.
Common expressions
- 志を持つ (to have aspirations)
- 高い志 (high aspirations/ambitions)
- 志を立てる (to set one's resolve)
- 志を同じくする (to share the same aspirations)
- 志半ばで (with one's goals unfulfilled — typically of someone who died before achieving them)
USAGE (sense 2):
お志 refers politely to the goodwill behind someone's gift or offering, and lets the speaker acknowledge the feeling while saying nothing about the money:
- お志、ありがとうございます (Thank you for your kind gesture)
- It is common at funerals and other formal occasions, including when politely declining a gift; it is also written on the envelope returned to mourners who have given 香典.
Related words
Related Words
Synonym:
野望 (wild/grand ambition)
Compare:
野心 (ambition; often negative)
Related:
志望 (aspiration (school, career))
Related:
抱負 (stated resolution)
Compare:
心意気 (spirit)