“To wish” in Japanese
Short answer
To wish in Japanese is “念ずる” (nenzuru). Full meaning: to wish (for), to pray (for), to hope (for); to pray silently, to recite (Buddha's name, sutras, etc.) in one's mind, to chant (a silent prayer).
Other ways to say “To wish” in Japanese
願う
negau to desire, to wish, to hope; to beg, to request, to implore, to pray; to have something done for oneself
念じる
nenjiru to wish (for), to pray (for), to hope (for); to pray silently, to recite (Buddha's name, sutras, etc.) in one's mind, to chant (a silent prayer)
祈る
inoru to pray, to say a prayer, to say grace; to wish, to hope
ねんずる
nenzuru to wish (for), to pray (for), to hope (for); to pray silently, to recite (Buddha's name, sutras, etc.) in one's mind, to chant (a silent prayer)
したがる
shitagaru to wish (to do), to desire, to want; to be ready, to be eager
願える
negaeru to desire, to wish, to hope; to beg, to request, to implore, to pray; to have something done for oneself
ねがえる
negaeru to desire, to wish, to hope; to beg, to request, to implore, to pray; to have something done for oneself
ねが、う
negau to desire, to wish, to hope; to beg, to request, to implore, to pray; to have something done for oneself
ねがう
negau to desire, to wish, to hope; to beg, to request, to implore, to pray; to have something done for oneself
乞う
kou to beg, to ask, to request, to invite; to pray, to wish
ねんじる
nenjiru to wish (for), to pray (for), to hope (for); to pray silently, to recite (Buddha's name, sutras, etc.) in one's mind, to chant (a silent prayer)
Looking for the other direction? Search any Japanese word in the Nihoner lexicon, or practise what you have learned in the learning games.