憧(あこが)れ

あこがれ
noun
longing, yearning, admiration
emotion
1. longing, yearning, aspiration, admiration
A strong feeling of longing or admiration for someone, something, or a way of life that one finds ideal or desirable. Implies looking up to something as an aspiration rather than feeling envious.
海外(かいがい)生活(せいかつ)への憧(あこが)れがある。
I have a longing for life overseas.
彼女(かのじょ)は子(こ)どもの頃(ころ)からの憧(あこが)れの存在(そんざい)だ。
She has been someone I've admired since childhood.
長年(ながねん)の憧(あこが)れだったパリに、ついに行(い)くことができた。
I was finally able to visit Paris, which had been a long-held dream of mine.

憧(あこが)れ is the noun form of the verb 憧(あこが)れる (to long for, to admire).

Common expressions

  • 憧(あこが)れの～: the ～ one admires/longs for (e.g., 憧(あこが)れの人(ひと) = the person one admires)
  • ～への憧(あこが)れ: longing for ～
  • 憧(あこが)れを抱(いだ)く: to harbor an aspiration

Similar words

Usage

憧(あこが)れ is always positive — it expresses admiration without jealousy or resentment. The object of 憧(あこが)れ is seen as an ideal to aspire toward.

Related Words

Synonym: 憧憬(しょうけい) (longing (literary))
Compare: 恋(こい)しい (yearning for someone)
Compare: 羨(うらや)ましい (envious)
Compare: 望(のぞ)み (hope, wish)
general
Added 2026.2.22 13:36 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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