欲

JLPT N3

Desire

Readings

On’yomi: ヨク (yoku)

Kun’yomi: ほっ(する), ほ(しい) (ho(ssuru), ho(shii))

• ほっ(する) – to want, to desire (formal/literary) • ほ(しい) – to want, to desire (common use)

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

欲しい

ほしい

want

欲求

よっきゅう

desire

食欲

しょくよく

appetite

欲望

よくぼう

desire

強欲

ごうよく

greedy

Example Sentences

本が欲しいです。

ほんがほしいです。

I want a book.

欲求があります。

よっきゅうがあります。

There is a desire.

食欲があります。

しょくよくがあります。

I have an appetite.

欲望が強いです。

よくぼうがつよいです。

The desire is strong.

強欲です。

ごうよくです。

He is greedy.

Cultural Note

🪞 In Buddhism, “欲 (desire)” is often seen as the root of suffering (煩悩 / ぼんのう), yet in daily life, 欲 also drives progress — such as curiosity, ambition, and passion. The balance of desire is an important concept in Japanese culture.