Quick answer
欲 is the kanji for "Desire". Its reading is ほっ.する (hosuru). This page includes example sentences and a stroke-order diagram.
Meaning
Desire
Also : Greed · Longing · Passion · Craving
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Readings
kun = Japanese reading · on = Chinese reading
Practice writing
Trace the kanji stroke by stroke with a visual guide.
Stroke Order
11 strokes
Radicals
Memory Aid
The kanji 欲 represents 'LONGING'. Think of this shape as a picture representing the concept of longing.
On-reading: よく — remember this sound by associating it with longing. Kun-reading: ほっ.する.
Example Sentences
知識欲が強い人は、専門分野以外の本も積極的に読む傾向があります。
ちしきよくがつよいひとは、せんもんぶんやいがいのほんもせっきょくてきによむけいこうがあります。
People with a strong desire for knowledge tend to actively read books outside their own field of expertise.
もう少し食べたいという欲求があります。
もうすこしたべたいというよっきゅうがあります。
I have the desire to eat a little more.
Vocabulary using 欲
Grammar to study at this level
- [Verb dictionary/nai form] + ように～ように (you ni) - So that
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことにする～ことにする (koto ni suru) - Decide to
- [Verb dictionary form] + ことになる～ことになる (koto ni naru) - It has been decided that
- [Noun/Verb te-form] + ばかり～ばかり (bakari) - Only / Nothing but
- [Verb/Adjective plain form] + はずだ～はずだ (hazu da) - Should be / It is expected
Last updated Jul 22, 2026
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