wish

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is がん, and the kun reading is ねがう. It has 19 strokes. It appears in words for acts of wishing or praying and wishes or hopes.
• Basic usage: 願う is read ねがう and 願い is read ねがい.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 願う / 願い
  • 願う means to wish or to pray for and is read ねがう. It describes wishing or praying for something such as family health or safe travel.
  • 家族の健康を心から願っている。 means “I sincerely wish for my family's good health.”
  • 願い means wish or hope and is read ねがい. It refers to a wish or hope held by a family member or participant.
  • 家族が元気でいることが私の願いです。 means “My wish is for my family to stay healthy.”