The Meaning of kokorozashi [志] In Japanese

志
こころざし
Romaji: kokorozashi N5

What does 志 mean?

Translation and Meaning

will, intention, resolve, ambition, aspiration

Definition

志 denotes an inner motive to pursue a goal, signaling personal resolve and direction in both everyday speech and formal contexts.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • ambition or aspiration toward a long-term life goal
  • personal mission or sense of duty guiding actions
  • mental inclination or orientation toward a field, path, or purpose (志向)
  • used in compounds such as 志望 and 志す to express aspiration or intention

Etymology

Phonetic evolution The on’yomi shi (シ) comes from Chinese readings, while the kun’yomi kokorozashi reflects a native concept of heart-driven will. The kanji’s form aligns a determined mind with a heart-centered motive, highlighting intent over action.

Origin

In classical Japanese literature and courtly discourse, 志 appears as a concise term for one’s will, purpose, or vow. It gained prominence in samurai and educational settings, where personal resolve defined duty and life direction; Buddhist and Confucian philosophy further shaped its nuanced sense of intention and aim.

Composition

  • 士 over 心 — the top element suggesting merit or a person of resolve
  • 心 — the heart, the source of inner intention

Usage

Used in formal writing, education, literature, and personal statements to express intention or life goals. It appears in compound forms such as 志望 (aspiration, application) and 志す (to aspire), and in names or vows denoting one’s mission or purpose.

💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a person of merit (士) lifting their heart (心) toward a goal, capturing the sense of kokorozashi—the inner will to act.

Variations

  • 志 (kokorozashi) — will, ambition
  • 志望 (shibō) — aspiration, application
  • 志気 (shiki) — morale, spirit
  • 志向 (shikō) — orientation, inclination

Example Phrases

  • 彼女は強い意志で毎日運動を続ける。
    Kanojo wa tsuyoi ishi de mainichi undou o tsuzukeru.
    She continues to exercise every day with a strong will.
    Lista:
    • 彼女 (kanojo) – she
    • は (wa) – (topic marker)
    • 強い (tsuyoi) – strong
    • 意志 (ishi) – will/determination
    • で (de) – by/with
    • 毎日 (mainichi) – every day
    • 運動 (undou) – exercise
    • を (wo) – direct object marker
    • 続ける (tsuzukeru) – to continue
    意志 is a noun meaning ‘will’ or ‘determination’; here used with で as in 「強い意志で」 to indicate the manner of the action.
  • 来年 は 進学 を 目指し 志望校 の 資料 を 集める
    rainen wa shingaku o mezashi shiboukou no shiryou o atsumeru
    Next year, I aim for higher education and gather information on my preferred schools.
    Lista:
    • 来年 (rainen) – next year
    • は (wa) – topic marker
    • 進学 (shingaku) – advancing to higher education
    • を (o) – object marker
    • 目指し (mezashi) – aiming for
    • 志望校 (shiboukou) – school of choice
    • の (no) – possessive
    • 資料 (shiryou) – materials
    • を (o) – object marker
    • 集める (atsumeru) – to gather
    The target word is 「進学」, meaning moving on to higher education. Here it functions as the object of 目指す (to aim for).
  • 将来、 私は 医師を 志す つもりだ。
    Shōrai, watashi wa ishi o kokorozasu tsumori da.
    In the future, I intend to become a doctor.
    Lista:
    • 将来 (Shōrai) – future
    • 私は (watashi wa) – I (topic marker)
    • 医師を (ishi o) – doctor (object marker)
    • 志す (kokorozasu) – to aspire to
    • つもりだ (tsumori da) – intend to
    Core grammar: 「志す」 means ‘to aspire to’ or ‘to set one’s heart on’ and takes the target with を, as in 医師を志す.
  • 志望校 に 合格 する ため 毎日 勉強 しています。
    shiboukou ni goukaku suru tame mainichi benkyou shiteimasu.
    I study every day to get into my target school.
    Lista:
    • 志望校 (shiboukou) – target school
    • に (ni) – to
    • 合格 (goukaku) – pass (admission)
    • する (suru) – do
    • ため (tame) – for the sake of / in order to
    • 毎日 (mainichi) – every day
    • 勉強 (benkyou) – study
    • しています (shiteimasu) – am studying
    The noun 「志望」 expresses aspiration; in this sentence it forms 「志望校」 meaning the school you aspire to attend, and 「ため」 marks purpose: 志望校に合格するため = in order to be admitted to your chosen school.
  • 志を立てて、私は毎日少しずつ成長する。
    Kokorozashi o tatete, watashi wa mainichi sukoshi zutsu seichou suru.
    With my resolve set, I grow little by little every day.
    Lista:
    • 志を立てて (kokorozashi o tatete) – set one’s resolve
    • 私は (watashi wa) – I
    • 毎日 (mainichi) – every day
    • 少しずつ (sukoshi zutsu) – little by little
    • 成長する (seichou suru) – grow
    志 is a noun meaning ‘ambition’ or ‘will’; here it is used in the set phrase 「志を立てて」 meaning ‘to set one’s resolve’.
志