願います（ねがいます、negaimasu）
- to hope

The Japanese word 願います (negai masu) primarily means "I request," "I wish," "I pray," or "Please" depending on the context. It expresses a desire, request, or hope. It is a polite form of the verb 願う (negau), which means "to wish," "to hope," "to request," or "to pray." The polite -masu form makes it suitable for use in formal or polite situations. The base meaning revolves around expressing a desire or making a request respectfully.

⚫︎ よろしくお願いいたします Translation: I look forward to working with you. / Thank you in advance. ⚫︎ お名前をお願いします Translation: Please, your name. / May I have your name, please? ⚫︎ 成功を願います Translation: I wish you success. / I hope for your success.

⚫︎ 願います is used in various situations where you are: ⚫︎ Making a request politely. ⚫︎ Expressing a wish or hope. ⚫︎ Offering help or expressing anticipation. ⚫︎ Giving a greeting or expressing thanks in a formal way. ⚫︎ It is often used at the end of a sentence or phrase to add a polite tone. ⚫︎ It is important to use 願います in formal situations, with superiors, or with people you don't know well.

⚫︎ This word is written in kanji 願 and hiragana います: 願います. ⚫︎ The base form 願う is written in kanji 願 and hiragana う. ⚫︎ The okurigana (hiragana following the kanji) is います in the polite -masu form. ⚫︎ There are no other common ways to write this word.

⚫︎ お願いします (onegai shimasu) - A more common and versatile way to say "Please" or "I request." ⚫︎ 希望します (kibou shimasu) - To hope; to desire. ⚫︎ 期待します (kitai shimasu) - To expect; to look forward to.

⚫︎ There isn't a single direct antonym for 願います because its meaning depends on the context. However, you could consider words that express the opposite sentiments, such as: ⚫︎ Reject ⚫︎ Refuse ⚫︎ Dislike

この件について、ご協力をお願い願います。 ・Translation: Regarding this matter, I request your cooperation. / I would appreciate your cooperation on this matter. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 願います to politely request cooperation.

皆様の健康と幸せを願います。 ・Translation: I wish for everyone's health and happiness. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 願います to express a wish for the well-being of others.

⚫︎ The verb 願う (negau) is derived from the Old Japanese verb ねがふ (ne-gafu), which had a meaning related to "to think," "to desire," or "to hope." ⚫︎ The kanji 願 is a combination of radicals that relate to "head" and "original," implying the source of thoughts and wishes. ⚫︎ The -masu form, 願います, is the polite conjugation that adds the element of respect and formality.