願

Orientation of the will toward a future state; generally represents a directed aspiration or mental projection rather than a visceral craving.

1. Main Verb: To wish, desire, or hope (transitive).

2. Modal/Introductory Operator: When initiating a clause (e.g., 願 [subject] [verb]), it functions as an optative marker ("May it be that..." or "I would like to..."), shifting the mood from a statement of fact to a request, longing, or prayer.

3. Noun: A wish, ambition, or—in formal/religious contexts—a vow.

• vs. 欲 (yù): 欲 often implies an immediate impulse, drive, or carnal desire; 願 is typically more aspirational and carries a higher moral or formal register.
• vs. 求 (qiú): 求 is the external act of seeking, begging, or petitioning; 願 is the internal volitional state that precedes or motivates the 求. In petitions to superiors, 願 may be translated as "humbly request."
• vs. 想 (xiǎng): In early texts, 想 refers primarily to cognitive processes (thinking, missing), whereas 願 refers to volitional processes.

愿 (U+613F) is generally a semantic variant. While often interchangeable, some usage suggests a distinction where 愿 leans toward "willingness" or "contentment" (e.g., 願滿/圓滿), contrasting emotional longing (願) with settled consent (愿).

In Buddhist texts, this is often a technical term for praṇidhāna—a solemn vow or pledge to achieve a state of being for the benefit of others. In these instances, "wish" may be too weak; "vow" or "pledge" is more appropriate.