Japanese

ねがう
Meaning: to wish; to hope; to pray
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 願う 願わない
Polite 願います 願いません
Past 願った 願わなかった
Polite + Past 願いました 願いませんでした
Te-form 願って 願わなくて
Potential 願える 願えない
Passive 願われる 願われない
Causative 願わせる 願わせない
Causative + Passive 願わされる 願わされない
Imperative 願え 願うな

Example sentences

世界平和を願って、千羽鶴を折った。
Wishing for world peace, I folded a thousand paper cranes.
新しいプロジェクトがうまくいくことを願っています。
I hope the new project goes well.
政治的な状況が安定することを願っています。
I hope the political situation stabilizes.
戦のない平和な世の中を願う。
I wish for a peaceful world without war.
至らぬ点も多々あるかと存じますが、よろしくお願いいたします。
I believe there may be many shortcomings, but I look forward to your kind cooperation.

Usage Notes

Used for personal wishes, prayers to deities, or requesting someone's assistance politely.

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