1.
request, demand, wish, desire
A formal or earnest request for something to be done. Stronger and more formal than お願い, often used when making requests to authorities, organizations, or in official contexts.
市民の要望に応える。
Respond to the citizens' requests.
要望書を提出した。
I submitted a written request.
住民から騒音対策の要望が多数寄せられたため、市は調査に乗り出した。
Because numerous requests for noise countermeasures were received from residents, the city launched an investigation.
USAGE NOTE:
要望 is a formal word typically used when requesting something from an organization, government, or person in authority. It implies a strong, earnest desire and is more formal and weighty than 依頼 (commission/request) or お願い (request/favor).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 要望に応える (respond to a request)
- 要望を出す (put forward a request)
- 要望書 (written request, petition)
- 要望が多い (many requests)
- 要望を受ける (receive a request)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 要求: demand (stronger, more insistent)
- 依頼: request, commission (asking someone to do something)
- 要請: request, appeal (formal, often from one organization to another)