Meaning
The kanji 欲 (yoku) captures the essence of 'desire,' 'want,' or 'greed' in Japanese. It covers a wide range of human inclinations, from simple wishes to strong cravings and even avarice. This fundamental meaning reflects human nature, driving ambition, satisfaction, and sometimes, downfall.
The etymology of 欲 offers a fascinating glimpse into how its meaning developed. It's a phono-semantic compound, combining a phonetic component that suggests its pronunciation with a semantic component that hints at its meaning. The left part, 谷 (tani), means 'valley' and serves as the phonetic component, historically suggesting the sound 'yoku.' Interestingly, 谷 can also evoke a feeling of 'emptiness' or a 'deep hole.' The right part, 欠 (ketsu), is the radical. It depicts a person with an open mouth, often linked to yawning, or more broadly, a 'lack' or 'deficiency' one yearns to fill. When these two elements come together, they powerfully illustrate desire: an 'emptiness' (谷) that makes one 'open their mouth' (欠) in longing to fill that void. This imagery vividly connects the kanji's form to its core meaning of wanting or needing something.
Comprising 11 strokes, the kanji 欲 is taught in the 6th grade in Japanese elementary schools. This makes it a crucial character for daily communication and for understanding more complex human emotions. Its inclusion at the N3 level of the JLPT further highlights its importance for intermediate learners.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi (Chinese-derived reading) for 欲 is ヨク (yoku). You'll predominantly find this reading in compound words, where 欲 combines with other kanji to form nouns expressing various types of desires, needs, or appetites. It often carries a formal and abstract nuance.
- 欲望 (yokubō) — desire, appetite, lust. This term refers to fundamental human desires, both physical and mental.
- 食欲 (shokuyoku) — appetite for food. This compound specifically denotes the desire to eat, often referring to hunger.
- 意欲 (iyoku) — will, eagerness, motivation. This describes the desire or motivation to achieve something, often related to ambition or drive.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi (native Japanese readings) for 欲 are ほ・しい (ho-shii) and ほっ・する (hos-suru). These readings are typically used when 欲 appears alone or as part of native Japanese verbs and adjectives, expressing a more direct or personal sense of wanting.
- 欲しい (hoshii) — to want (something). This common adjective expresses a personal desire for an object or a state. For example, 車が欲しい (kuruma ga hoshii - I want a car) means "I want a car."
- 欲する (hossuru) — to desire, to wish for. This is a more formal verb than 欲しい, often found in written contexts or used to express a strong, often abstract, desire. For example, 成功を欲する (seikō o hossuru - to desire success) means "to desire success."
- 欲張り (yokubari) — greed, greedy person. Although it uses the on'yomi 'yoku', this is a common native Japanese compound noun/adjective describing someone who is excessively desirous.
Common Words & Compounds
General Desires & Ambitions
欲望 (yokubō) — desire, appetite, lust
欲求 (yokkyū) — desire, urge, demand, craving
意欲 (iyoku) — will, eagerness, motivation, ambition
欲する (hossuru) — to desire, to want, to wish for ### Physical & Sensory Desires
食欲 (shokuyoku) — appetite (for food)
性欲 (seiyoku) — sexual desire, lust
睡眠欲 (suiminyoku) — desire for sleep
Lack of Desire / Unselfishness
- 無欲 (muyoku) — unselfishness, disinterestedness, free from greed
Excessive Desire / Greed
- 強欲 (gōyoku) — greed, avarice, covetousness
- 貪欲 (donyoku) — greed, avarice, voracity
- 欲張り (yokubari) — greed, greedy person
- 金銭欲 (kinsenyoku) — desire for money, avarice
Specific Desires
- 知識欲 (chishikiyoku) — thirst for knowledge
Example Sentences
新しい車が欲しいです。
Atarashii kuruma ga hoshii desu.
I want a new car.
食欲がなくて、あまり食べられませんでした。
Shokuyoku ga nakute, amari taberaremasen deshita.
I had no appetite and couldn't eat much.
彼は成功を欲しているが、努力が足りない。
Kare wa seikō o hosshite iru ga, doryoku ga tarinai.
He desires success, but his effort is insufficient.
人間は際限のない欲を持つ生き物だ。
Ningen wa saigen no nai yoku o motsu ikimono da.
Humans are creatures with endless desires.
物欲に駆られて、不必要なものを買ってしまった。
Butsuyoku ni kararete, fuhitsuyō na mono o katte shimatta.
Driven by materialism, I bought unnecessary things.
彼の研究への意欲は、周囲を圧倒するものがある。
Kare no kenkyū e no iyoku wa, shūi o attō suru mono ga aru.
His eagerness for research is overwhelming to those around him.
政治家は権力欲に憑かれやすいと言われている。
Seijika wa kenryokuyoku ni tsukareyasui to iwarete iru.
Politicians are said to be easily possessed by the desire for power.
知識欲が旺盛な人は、新しいことを学び続ける。
Chishikiyoku ga ōsei na hito wa, atarashii koto o manabi tsuzukeru.
People with a strong thirst for knowledge continue to learn new things.
貧乏な時ほど物欲が強くなるのは不思議だ。
Binbō na toki hodo butsuyoku ga tsuyoku naru no wa fushigi da.
It's strange how materialism grows stronger the poorer one is.
Memory Tip
To remember 欲, picture a 'valley' (谷), symbolizing emptiness or a deep hole, and a 'person with an open mouth' (欠) trying to fill that void. Imagine someone standing in a vast, empty valley, mouth wide open, expressing a strong 'desire' or 'want' for something. This scene directly links the kanji's components to its core meaning of longing and craving. The emptiness of the valley, combined with the open mouth of yearning, powerfully conveys the idea of 'desire' or 'greed'—an unending hunger for what is missing.