Learn Hardcore Japanese: negai ga aru nara, zinzya ni ikimasyou. - If you have a wish, let’s go to the shrine.

願い means “wish” or “desire.” It often implies a heartfelt or personal request, sometimes with a nuance of praying. 望み is more like “hope” or “aspiration,” and 希望 is “hope” in a broader sense. 願い can feel more earnest or intimate.

Why is the particle が used after 願い in 願いがある?

が marks 願い as the grammatical subject of the verb ある (“to exist”). So 願いがある literally means “a wish exists.”

What is the role of ある here? Could we use いる instead?

ある expresses existence for inanimate objects or abstract concepts (like wishes). いる is used for animate beings (people, animals), so you cannot use いる for 願い.

What does the conditional ～なら mean in あるなら?

～なら attaches to a verb, adjective, or noun to form an “if” or “assuming that” condition. Here, あるなら means “if there is (a wish).” It’s sometimes called the “assumptive” or “provisional” なら.

Why is there a comma after なら?

Japanese uses commas to indicate natural pauses or to separate clauses for clarity. The comma after なら separates the conditional clause (あるなら) from the main clause (神社に行きましょう). It’s not strictly required but is common in writing.

Why do we use に with 神社 in 神社に行きましょう rather than を?

With motion verbs like 行く (“to go”), に marks the destination. So 神社に行く means “to go to the shrine.” を would mark a direct object, which doesn’t apply here.

What nuance does 行きましょう carry? Could we say 行こう instead?

行きましょう is the polite volitional form meaning “let’s go.” It’s used to propose or invite in a respectful way. 行こう is the plain/casual volitional form, suitable among close friends or family. Both express the same “let’s” meaning but differ in politeness.