祈る

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 祈る is read as いのる and is a verb meaning to pray or wish for something such as safety or success.
• Basic usage: Mark what is wished for with を, as in 家族の無事を or 試合の成功を.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Expressing a purpose
  • 祈るために shows that the following action is done for the purpose of praying or wishing. Example: 家族の無事を祈るために静かに手を合わせました。
• Linking the wish to another action
  • The te-form 祈って connects the act or feeling of wishing with the action that follows. Example: 皆が試合の成功を祈って応援旗を作りました。