字 Kanji Decipher

Meaning & readings

intention, plan, resolve, aspire, motive, hopes, shilling

On’yomi シ
Kun’yomi シリング、こころざ.す、こころざし
Nanori じん、べ、べし、ゆき

Origin

This character combines a heart component at the bottom, which makes sense since intentions and aspirations come from the heart or mind. The component on top acts as a sound hint, telling you roughly how to pronounce the character rather than adding to its meaning. Together, the shape pictures an emotional resolve or determination—the character literally shows the heart behind one's plans and desires.

志 7 strokes

Components

  • 士 sound hint top
  • 心 radical bottom

A sound hint component points at the character’s pronunciation, not its meaning — don’t read a meaning into it.

Common words

  • 意志 いし will; volition
  • 遺志 いし wishes of a deceased person; dying wish
  • 志す こころざす to aspire to; to aim for
  • 志願 しがん aspiration; volunteering
  • 志向 しこう intention; aim
  • 志望 しぼう wish; desire
  • 同志 どうし like-mindedness; (being of the) same mind
  • 有志 ゆうし interested person; volunteer

Related kanji

Same sound component 士
Same radical

Reference

Strokes
7
Kangxi radical
61
Formation type
Phono-semantic (meaning + sound hint)
Grade
Grade 5 (Kyōiku)
Frequency rank
#823 (newspapers)
Former JLPT
level 2
Unicode
U+05FD7