Meaning and Usage
"希望" (きぼう) means "hope," "wish," or "aspiration." It is commonly used to express desires or goals for the future, whether personal dreams or specific requests.
Common Contexts
You will often see "希望" in contexts like talking about future plans, job applications, or encouraging someone not to give up. It can be used as a noun or combined with verbs like "する" (to do) to mean "to hope for" or "to wish."
Collocations and Patterns
- 希望する (きぼうする): to hope for, to wish for — used when expressing a desire or application.
- 希望がある (きぼうがある): there is hope — used to encourage or express optimism.
- 将来の希望 (しょうらいのきぼう): hope for the future — common phrase to talk about aspirations.
Register and Nuance
"希望" is polite and neutral, suitable for formal and informal situations. It is often used in written and spoken Japanese when discussing goals or desires.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "希望" with "願望" (がんぼう), which also means desire or wish but is more about personal longing or craving. "希望" tends to be more positive and future-oriented, often linked to realistic goals.