Word in Japanese/virtue
Hope in Japanese
Hope translates as 希望 (kibou). Below is a full breakdown with stroke counts, alternate writings, an example sentence, and tattoo design notes.
What it means
希望 (kibou, きぼう) means hope.
| Kanji | Meaning | Strokes | On'yomi | Kun'yomi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 希 | hope, rare | 7 | ki, ke | mare, nega(u) |
| 望 | hope, desire, look afar | 11 | bou, mou | nozo(mu) |
Alternate writings
Japanese often offers more than one valid kanji for a concept. The alternates below carry slightly different nuance — read them carefully before choosing.
wish, desire, hope, also a common given name
Compounds and related words
Common Japanese vocabulary built around this kanji.
| Word | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 願望 | ganbou | desire, wish |
| 失望 | shitsubou | disappointment |
| 展望 | tenbou | outlook, prospect |
Example sentence
未来への希望を持っています。
Mirai e no kibou o motte imasu.
I have hope for the future.
Tattoo design notes
希望 is the standard word for hope and is the most accurate two-character translation. Both characters are visually balanced and pair well in vertical or horizontal layouts. 望 alone can mean hope but is more often read as desire or to look afar; the compound 希望 disambiguates the intended meaning.
Cultural notes
希望 is used in everyday speech and formal writing alike. The character 望 includes a moon radical and originally depicted looking up at the moon, conveying longing and forward-looking desire.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say hope in Japanese?
Hope in Japanese is 希望, romanised as kibou and written in hiragana as きぼう. 希望 is used in everyday speech and formal writing alike. The character 望 includes a moon radical and originally depicted looking up at the moon, conveying longing and forward-looking desire.
What does the kanji 希望 mean?
希 means "hope, rare" (7 strokes; on'yomi: ki, ke; kun'yomi: mare, nega(u)). 望 means "hope, desire, look afar" (11 strokes; on'yomi: bou, mou; kun'yomi: nozo(mu)). Together the word reads as kibou.
What is the difference between 希望 and 望み?
希望 (kibou) is the standard form: 希望 is used in everyday speech and formal writing alike. The character 望 includes a moon radical and originally depicted looking up at the moon, conveying longing and forward-looking desire.. 望み (nozomi) is different — wish, desire, hope, also a common given name. Pick based on the exact nuance you want to convey.
Is 希望 a good kanji for a tattoo?
希望 is the standard word for hope and is the most accurate two-character translation. Both characters are visually balanced and pair well in vertical or horizontal layouts. 望 alone can mean hope but is more often read as desire or to look afar; the compound 希望 disambiguates the intended meaning.
How do you write hope in hiragana?
In hiragana, hope is written as きぼう, which represents the sound kibou. The kanji form 希望 is used in everyday writing; hiragana is used when the kanji is too difficult, for emphasis, or in children's text.
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