The Japanese kanji 想: imagination and impressions

The idea

想 has 13 strokes and combines 相 above 心. In these compounds it is read そう: 想像 means imagination, 感想 an impression, and 予想 a prediction. Follow the linked diagram for stroke order.

Examples

• 海うみへの旅行りょこうを想像そうぞうしました。I imagined a trip to the sea.
• 本ほんの感想かんそうを書かきました。I wrote my impressions of the book.
• 明日あしたは雨あめだと予想よそうしています。I expect rain tomorrow.
• 自分じぶんの未来みらいを想像そうぞうしてください。Please imagine your future.
• 映画えいがの感想かんそうを話はなし合あいました。We shared our impressions of the film.
• 結果けっかは予想よそうと違ちがいました。The result was different from what I expected.

Watch out

想像 is imagining something; 予想 is anticipating an outcome. 感想 is an impression after an experience, not a prediction. Do not assume every word containing 想 has the same meaning.

Try it yourself

1. Write the reading of 想像 in hiragana.

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   そうぞう

   想像 is そうぞう: it means imagination or imagining. The first syllable of each kanji is long.

2. Write the reading of 感想 in hiragana.

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   かんそう

   感想 is かんそう: it is an impression, for example after reading a book.

3. Choose the missing kanji: 予＿（よそう）［想／相］.

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   想

   想 completes 予想（よそう）, a prediction about what may happen.

Use it today

Write 想 following the diagram, then cover the table and read the three compounds. Describe an impression using 感想.