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抱負 (ほうふ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
noun
aspiration ; ambition ; resolution
Refers to one's strong hopes, plans, or determination for the future, often stated publicly or at a turning point. Common in phrases like 抱負を語る or 新年の抱負.
Kanji 抱 embrace, hug, hold in arms Similar words 目もく 標ひょう 目標 is a concrete goal or target, while 抱負 is a broader, more personal aspiration or determination.
野や 望ぼう 野望 implies a strong, often selfish or grandiose ambition, whereas 抱負 is a positive, earnest hope or plan.
Etymology Composed of 抱 (embrace, hold) and 負 (bear, carry), suggesting something one holds in one's heart. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the compound has been used to mean 'aspiration' since at least the early modern period.
語かた
っ
た
。
He spoke passionately about his aspirations for the future.
