Translation and Meaning of: 狙う - nerau

The verb 「狙う」(nerau) is a Japanese expression that means "to aim" or "to target." This term is often used in both literal and figurative contexts to indicate the action of focusing on a specific goal or target. The word can be applied in various scenarios, from the act of aiming at a physical target, such as in archery, to the intention of achieving personal or professional goals.

Etimologically, 「狙う」is composed of the kanji 「狙」, which carries the meaning of "to aim" or "to point at." This kanji, in turn, is formed by the radicals 「犭」(kemono-hen), which refers to animals or beasts, and 「且」(sho), which can imply the idea of something aligned or ordered. This combination suggests the image of a predator focusing on its prey, which is consistent with the meaning of the word.

In the Japanese language, the use of the verb 「ねらう」 (nerau) can be diversified. When talking about careers, one might say that someone is "aiming" for a promotion or a specific position. In sports, an athlete could be "aiming" for a medal or a record. This flexibility allows the verb to be a versatile tool in everyday communication, reflecting both ambition and carefully planned strategies.

Although the word is often used in personal or professional goal contexts, it is also common in entertainment and pop culture. For example, in games or movies, characters can be described as "aiming" for a certain outcome or adversary, highlighting the tension and drama of the narrative. Thus, 「狙う」 (nerau) is an intriguing and rich part of the Japanese language, encapsulating both the literal and figurative focus.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• ねらう (nerau) - Desire, look, attack.
• あてがう (ategau) - Adjust, apply.
• あてこすりする (atekosuri suru) - Subtle touch, indirect suggestion.
• あてこする (atekosu) - Suggest indirectly, insinuate.
• あてこす (atekosu) - Indirect, suggestion.
• あてがえる (ategaeru) - Prepare, provide.
• さがす (sagasu) - Search, look for.
• さがりこする (sagarikosuru) - Go down.
• うかがう (ukagau) - Visit, inquire.
• うかがいこす (ukagaikosu) - Inquire indirectly.
• ねらいをつける (nerai o tsukeru) - Define a target, focus.
• ねらいを定める (nerai o sadameru) - Determine an intention, clear focus.
• ねらいを定めて攻撃する (nerai o sadamete kyougeki suru) - Attack with determined focus.
• ねらいを定めて狙う (nerai o sadamete nerau) - Attack while keeping a clear focus.

狙う

Romaji: nerau
Kana: ねらう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: para buscar

Meaning in English: to aim at

Definition: aim [objective] Set a goal and try to achieve it.

Example Sentences - (狙う) nerau

See below some example sentences:

私は彼を狙う。

Watashi wa kare wo neru

I'm aiming for him.

I myotify for him.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 彼 - The Japanese personal pronoun that means "he" is "彼" (kare).
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
• 狙う - Japanese verb that means "to look" or "to aim".

私の狙いは高い目標を達成することです。

Watashi no nerai wa takai mokuhyō o tassei suru koto desu

My goal is to achieve high goals.

• 私 (watashi) - The personal pronoun that means "I" in Japanese.
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 狙い (nerai) - noun meaning "goal" or "target"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 高い (takai) - adjective that means "high" or "elevated"
• 目標 (mokuhyou) - noun meaning "goal" or "objective"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 達成する (tassei suru) - compound verb meaning "to reach" or "to achieve"
• こと (koto) - noun indicating an abstract action or event
• です (desu) - auxiliary verb that indicates the present tense and formality of the sentence