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想像
sōzō
imagination
彼は想像力豊かな小説を書く
He writes novels full of imagination.
general
The ability to form mental images or concepts of things not present to the senses; the faculty of imagining.
子供は想像力が豊かだ
Children have rich imaginations.
その絵は想像を超えていた
The painting exceeded my imagination.
Often used to describe creativity, daydreaming, or visualizing scenarios.
general
A mental image or concept formed by imagining.
彼の想像は現実とはかけ離れていた
His imagination was far from reality.
想像を働かせてみてください
Please use your imagination.
Can refer to a specific mental picture or idea.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Verb vs. Noun
While '想像' is a noun, the verb '想像する' is more commonly used in conversation.
Gold Rule
Common Usage
In everyday speech, '想像する' (to imagine) is more frequently used than the noun '想像'.
Word Origin
From Middle Chinese 'sɨɐŋˠˠzɨɐŋˠ' (to think, imagine), composed of '想' (to think) and '像' (image).
Usage Notes
Can be used both as a noun (想像) and as a verb (想像する). The verb form is more common in everyday speech.
Word Breakdown
想
to think
root像
image
root和英辞典