Learn Japanese Kanji - Aesthetic Guide

Lesson: 希望 (Hope)

Radicals in 希望

The kanji 希望 (kibō, meaning "hope") is a compound character that embodies optimism and aspiration. It combines two kanji: 希 (rare) and 望 (desire), each with its own radicals, to express the idea of longing for something precious.

巾 (Cloth Radical): In 希, Radical 50, on the left, suggests a delicate or rare fabric, hinting at something scarce or special.
乂 (Crossed Lines): In 希, the inner part (not a standalone radical) resembles a crossing, possibly symbolizing a unique intersection or rarity.
月 (Moon Radical): In 望, Radical 74, on the right, evokes the moon, often associated with longing or distant desires.
王 (King Radical): In 望, Radical 96, in the middle, suggests authority or something grand to aspire to.
亡 (Death/Loss Radical): In 望, Radical 8, at the top, implies something lost or out of reach, enhancing the sense of yearning.

Visually, 希望 blends the rarity of 希 (a precious, delicate wish) with the longing of 望 (a grand desire gazed upon like the moon)—a perfect symbol for hope as a rare and cherished aspiration. Fun fact: The combination reflects hope as both fragile and powerful, a dream worth pursuing.

Examples of 希望 in Use

Here are some common words and phrases using 希望:

希望 (kibō)

Meaning: Hope

Hiragana: きぼう

Example: 希望を持つ。
(Kibō o motsu.)
"I have hope."

希望者 (kibōsha)

Meaning: Applicant / Hopeful person

Hiragana: きぼうしゃ

Example: 希望者が多い。
(Kibōsha ga ōi.)
"There are many applicants."

希望的 (kibōteki)

Meaning: Hopeful

Hiragana: きぼうてき

Example: 希望的な見方だ。
(Kibōteki na mikata da.)
"It’s a hopeful perspective."

絶望 (zetsubō)

Meaning: Despair (opposite of hope)

Hiragana: ぜつぼう

Example: 絶望したくない。
(Zetsubō shitakunai.)
"I don’t want to despair."

希望の光 (kibō no hikari)

Meaning: Ray of hope

Hiragana: きぼうのひかり

Example: 希望の光が見えた。
(Kibō no hikari ga mieta.)
"I saw a ray of hope."

希望退職 (kibō taishoku)

Meaning: Voluntary retirement

Hiragana: きぼうたいしょく

Example: 希望退職を選んだ。
(Kibō taishoku o eranda.)
"I chose voluntary retirement."

新希望 (shinkibō)

Meaning: New hope

Hiragana: しんきぼう

Example: 新希望が生まれた。
(Shinkibō ga umareta.)
"A new hope was born."

希望に満ちる (kibō ni michiru)

Meaning: To be filled with hope

Hiragana: きぼうにみちる

Example: 未来は希望に満ちている。
(Mirai wa kibō ni michite iru.)
"The future is filled with hope."

希望条件 (kibō jōken)

Meaning: Desired conditions

Hiragana: きぼうじょうけん

Example: 希望条件を伝えた。
(Kibō jōken o tsutaeta.)
"I stated my desired conditions."

希望の星 (kibō no hoshi)

Meaning: Star of hope

Hiragana: きぼうのほし

Example: 彼は希望の星だ。
(Kare wa kibō no hoshi da.)
"He is a star of hope."

希望を抱く (kibō o idaku)

Meaning: To embrace hope

Hiragana: きぼうをいだく

Example: 希望を抱いて進む。
(Kibō o idaite susumu.)
"I move forward embracing hope."

希望の種 (kibō no tane)

Meaning: Seed of hope

Hiragana: きぼうのたね

Example: 希望の種を蒔く。
(Kibō no tane o maku.)
"I plant a seed of hope."

希望職種 (kibō shokushu)

Meaning: Desired occupation

Hiragana: きぼうしょくしゅ

Example: 希望職種を決めた。
(Kibō shokushu o kimeta.)
"I decided on my desired occupation."

希望溢れる (kibō afureru)

Meaning: Overflowing with hope

Hiragana: きぼうあふれる

Example: 希望溢れる若者だ。
(Kibō afureru wakamono da.)
"He’s a youth overflowing with hope."

希望額 (kibōgaku)

Meaning: Desired amount

Hiragana: きぼうがく

Example: 希望額を提示した。
(Kibōgaku o teiji shita.)
"I presented the desired amount."

希望の未来 (kibō no mirai)

Meaning: Hopeful future

Hiragana: きぼうのみらい

Example: 希望の未来を描く。
(Kibō no mirai o egaku.)
"I envision a hopeful future."

希望を与える (kibō o ataeru)

Meaning: To give hope

Hiragana: きぼうをあたえる

Example: 彼は希望を与える人だ。
(Kare wa kibō o ataeru hito da.)
"He’s a person who gives hope."

希望的観測 (kibōteki kansoku)

Meaning: Wishful thinking

Hiragana: きぼうてきかんそく

Example: それは希望的観測だ。
(Sore wa kibōteki kansoku da.)
"That’s wishful thinking."

希望の持てる (kibō no moteru)

Meaning: Promising / Hopeful

Hiragana: きぼうのもてる

Example: 希望の持てる計画だ。
(Kibō no moteru keikaku da.)
"It’s a promising plan."

希望の灯 (kibō no hi)

Meaning: Light of hope

Hiragana: きぼうのひ

Example: 希望の灯を消さない。
(Kibō no hi o kesanai.)
"I won’t let the light of hope go out."

The kanji 希望 encapsulates the fragile yet powerful essence of hope, blending rarity and longing into a vision of a brighter future.