Translation guide
A deep wish or ambition held for a long time, often with emotional weight. In Japanese, this is commonly expressed through nouns like 念願 or 宿願, or through phrases describing a long-held dream coming true.
Expressing a deep, persistent desire that one has had for years, often with a sense of finally achieving it.
The most common and natural word for a long-cherished desire or wish. Often used in the phrase 念願が叶う (one's long-cherished desire comes true).
留学は私の念願でした。
Studying abroad was my long-cherished desire.
念願のマイホームを手に入れた。
I finally got my long-cherished dream home.
A more formal or literary term for a long-held wish or ambition, often used in serious contexts like career goals or lifelong missions.
彼は宿願だった医者になることができた。
He was able to become a doctor, which had been his long-cherished desire.
Literally 'heartfelt wish,' often used for a deeply emotional or desperate long-held desire, sometimes with a sense of overcoming hardship.
被災地の復興は住民の悲願です。
The reconstruction of the disaster area is the residents' long-cherished desire.
Focusing on the fulfillment of a long-held wish, often using set phrases.
The standard phrase for 'a long-cherished desire comes true.'
長年の念願が叶って、自分の店を持てました。
My long-cherished desire came true, and I was able to open my own shop.
A more general phrase for 'a dream comes true,' which can imply a long-cherished desire in context.
小さい頃からの夢が叶って、パイロットになりました。
My childhood dream came true, and I became a pilot.
Describing a strong, persistent ambition, often in professional or personal development contexts.
Used for a deeply held ambition, especially when it involves overcoming obstacles. Note: this word can overlap with the previous meaning but is often used for ambitious goals.
オリンピック出場は彼の悲願だった。
Participating in the Olympics was his long-cherished ambition.
Literally 'a dream of many years,' a very natural way to express a long-cherished desire in casual conversation.
世界一周旅行は私の長年の夢です。
Traveling around the world is my long-cherished dream.
念願 is the most common and neutral term for a long-cherished desire. 宿願 is more formal and often used in written language or serious speeches. 悲願 carries a nuance of a heartfelt, sometimes desperate wish, often associated with overcoming great difficulties.
念願 is often used in the pattern 念願の + noun, meaning 'long-cherished ~', as in 念願のマイホーム (long-cherished dream home). It is also common in the phrase 念願が叶う (one's wish comes true).