aspire · long for

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 憬 has 15 strokes and the on-reading けい. It supplies the final けい in 憧憬 (しょうけい).
• Basic usage: 憧憬 is a noun for longing or admiration directed toward something distant or dear.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• The object of longing and the feeling held
  • 遠い海への憧憬 means longing for the distant sea. 憧憬を胸に抱いていた describes the boy holding that longing in his heart.
  • 古い都への憧憬 means longing for an old city. That feeling is presented as the inspiration for painting a picture.