1.
long-cherished wish; heart's desire; long-held dream
A wish or goal that someone has held for a long time. Used when that wish is finally fulfilled or when describing something someone has always wanted.
念願の夢が叶った。
My long-cherished dream came true.
念願のマイホームをやっと手に入れた。
I finally got the home I had always dreamed of.
十年越しの念願だった海外旅行に、ついに行くことができた。
I was finally able to take the overseas trip I had been dreaming about for over ten years.
USAGE:
Almost always used with the pattern 念願の + noun, meaning "the long-desired [noun]." The most common combination is 念願の夢が叶う (a long-held dream comes true). Often appears in happy announcements or celebrations.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 念願の夢 (long-cherished dream)
- 念願が叶う (a long-held wish comes true)
- 念願の優勝 (long-desired championship victory)
- 念願だった + noun (the [noun] one had always wished for)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 悲願: heartfelt wish — stronger and more serious; often used for groups or organizations striving toward a difficult goal
- 願望: desire, wish — more general; does not imply a long period of wanting