A1 noun Neutral #2,657 most common

希望

kibō /kiboː/

希望 (kibō) refers to the feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen or the prospect of a bright future. It can describe a personal wish, a formal request for specific conditions, or the general concept of hope in a broad sense.

Examples

3 of 5
1

新しい年に希望を持っています。

I have hope for the new year.

2

貴社のさらなる発展を希望いたします。

I hope for the further development of your company.

3

休み、どこ行きたい?何か希望ある?

Where do you want to go for the holiday? Any requests?

Word Family

Noun
希望
Verb
希望する
Adjective
希望的な
Related
希望者
💡

Memory Tip

The first kanji 希 means 'rare' and the second 望 means 'to look far/gaze'. Think of gazing far into the distance to see a rare, bright star of hope.

Quick Quiz

将来に明るい( )を持っています。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 希望

Examples

1

新しい年に希望を持っています。

everyday

I have hope for the new year.

2

貴社のさらなる発展を希望いたします。

formal

I hope for the further development of your company.

3

休み、どこ行きたい?何か希望ある?

informal

Where do you want to go for the holiday? Any requests?

4

この新薬は多くの患者に希望を与えるだろう。

academic

This new medicine will likely give hope to many patients.

5

給与に関するご希望を教えてください。

business

Please let us know your salary expectations/desires.

Word Family

Noun
希望
Verb
希望する
Adjective
希望的な
Related
希望者

Common Collocations

希望を持つ to have hope
希望を捨てる to give up hope
第一希望 one's first choice
希望をかなえる to fulfill a wish
希望に燃える to be burning with hope

Common Phrases

希望の光

a ray of hope

希望に満ちる

to be full of hope

希望を託す

to entrust one's hopes to someone/something

Often Confused With

希望 vs 願い (negai)

Negai is often a specific wish or prayer, while kibō is a broader sense of hope or a formal preference/requirement.

希望 vs 期待 (kitai)

Kitai refers to an expectation that something will happen, whereas kibō is the desire for something to happen.

📝

Usage Notes

希望 is versatile and can be used as a noun or a suru-verb. In professional settings, it is the standard way to express your preferences or requirements regarding a contract or position.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use 'kibō' when 'hoshii' (wanting an object) is more appropriate in casual speech. It is also important not to confuse it with 'zetsubō' (despair), which is its direct opposite.

💡

Memory Tip

The first kanji 希 means 'rare' and the second 望 means 'to look far/gaze'. Think of gazing far into the distance to see a rare, bright star of hope.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from Sino-Japanese roots where '希' (ki) means 'scarce/desire' and '望' (bō) means 'look/expect'.

Grammar Patterns

Used as a noun followed by particles like が (ga), を (wo), or に (ni). Combines with する (suru) to form a transitive verb meaning 'to hope for' or 'to request'.
🌍

Cultural Context

In the Japanese education system and job market, 'dai-ichi kibō' (first choice) is a crucial term used to indicate one's top priority school or company.

Quick Quiz

将来に明るい( )を持っています。

Correct!

The correct answer is: 希望

Related Phrases

Related Words

unknown

A1

A student attending a university or college for higher education. In Japan, it specifically refers to undergraduate students in a four-year university or a two-year junior college.

革命

A1

A fundamental and sudden change in political power or social structure, often involving a shift in governance. It also refers to a major, transformative shift in technology, thought, or a specific field that completely alters how things are done.

維持

A1

The act of keeping something in its current state, condition, or level over a period of time. It is commonly used to describe the maintenance of health, systems, relationships, or the status quo.

縮小

A1

The act of reducing the size, scale, or scope of something. It is commonly used when talking about downsizing operations, shrinking digital images, or narrowing the range of a project.

契約

A1

A legally binding agreement between two or more parties that specifies terms and conditions. It is commonly used for mobile phones, apartment rentals, and employment agreements.

取引

A1

A transaction or business deal involving the exchange of money, goods, or services. It refers to the process of doing business with another party or making a trade.

借金

A1

A sum of money that is borrowed from a person or an institution and is expected to be paid back. It refers to the state of owing money or the specific amount of debt accumulated.

予算

A1

A budget or an estimate of the amount of money available for a specific purpose. It refers to the financial plan or limit set before spending occurs in personal, business, or government contexts.

賃金

A1

Chingin refers to the money paid to a worker in exchange for labor or services, similar to wages. It is frequently used in formal, legal, and economic contexts, particularly when discussing minimum wage or labor statistics.

降格

A1

A noun or verb that describes a reduction in rank, status, or position within an organization or sports league. It is most commonly used when a worker is moved to a lower job title or when a sports team is moved to a lower division due to poor performance.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free