願 means “wish, request, pray”

ねがう · negau

Also: petition, vow

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

ねがう

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ガン

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 4 · 19 strokes

The story

A head (頁) bowed before 原, a spring at its source: picture someone asking with their whole self. 願う is to wish or pray, and お願いします, "I humbly ask", is the phrase you'll say at every counter in Japan.

Used in お願いします (onegaishimasu, please), 願い (negai, wish), and 願書 (gansho, application form)

More from Spirit & Being

• 現 appear
• 在 be located
• 容 contain
• 状 condition
• 神 god
• 福 fortune
• 存 exist
• 精 refined
• 絶 cut off

Learn 願 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.