Desire words: When to use 欲望{よくぼう}, 欲求{よっきゅう}, 欲{よく} and 欲念{よくねん}?


Today I ran into these three desire words, which are defined:

  * 欲 = greed, craving, desire, avarice, wants 
  * 欲求 = desire
  * 欲望 = desire, appetite, lust

And while searching dictionaries, I also found a fourth word

  * 欲念 = desire, wish, passion

All of these have quite similar definitions, and I couldn't find an
explanation of their differences anywhere, not in English at least, but I did
find a Japanese site with an explanation of sorts, and what I gathered is that
at least 欲望 has something to do with the desired thing itself, whereas 欲求 has
to do with the actual feeling of desire... or something like that.

I'm still quite unsure, so I would appreciate if someone could explain the
situations each of them is used, and/or how their nuances differ.

EDIT: The site with the Japanese explanation I found is this:
<http://okwave.jp/qa/q1543862.html>. I think it only discusses 欲望 and 欲求, and
their differences, though.

EDIT2: I could also add that I ran into the three words in Core 6k deck. The
following example sentences (some of them not very good) were given for each:

  * 欲: 「あまり欲を出しちゃだめだよ。」
  * 欲求:「時には自分の欲求を抑えることも必要です。」
  * 欲望:「彼は欲望が強い人です。」




欲求 is a fairly objective / scientific word which is seen in psychological /
sociological articles.

欲望 is kind of earthly by far, often meaning a lust toward money, fame,
domination, possessions, and sexual actions.

While the above two are used mostly in writings, 欲 is by much a conversational
word, and has a range of various usages.

欲念 is rare. I believe I have met this word in books several times, but that's
all. Never heard or used it, at all.




欲求 is a fairly objective / scientific word which is seen in psychological /
sociological articles.

欲望 is kind of earthly by far, often meaning a lust toward money, fame,
domination, possessions, and sexual actions.

While the above two are used mostly in writings, 欲 is by much a conversational
word, and has a range of various usages.

欲念 is rare. I believe I have met this word in books several times, but that's
all. Never heard or used it, at all.

