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How to say 'Idea' or 'Notion' in Japanese | 観念

Wondering how to say 'Idea' or 'Notion' in Japanese? You're in the right place!

The Japanese word for Idea or Notion is 'Kannen', written as 観念 in Japanese.'Idea' or 'Notion' in hiragana is かんねん.

    word

    観念

    Meaning

    Idea, Notion

    Reading

    かんねん

    kannen

    Kanji

    観View 念Thought

    Explanation

    The Japanese noun '観念 (かんねん)' refers to an abstract idea, concept, or notion. It is often used in philosophical or intellectual contexts to describe thoughts or beliefs that are not tied to concrete objects. For example: His idea of freedom is unique「彼の自由の観念は独特だ」(かれのじゆうのかんねんはどくとくだ). The notion of time varies across cultures「時間の観念は文化によって異なる」(じかんのかんねんはぶんかによってことなる). This word can also imply a sense of resignation or acceptance, as in '観念する (かんねんする)', meaning 'to give up' or 'to resign oneself to a situation.'

    Part Of Speech

    noun

    Kanji JLPT

    N3

    Kanji Grade

    4

    Frequency

    2812

    Composition

    kanji

    Handwriting

Kanji in the Word 観念

This word contains 2 kanji characters:

  • kanji

    観

    Meaning

    View

  • kanji

    念

    Meaning

    Thought

Words Related to 観念 Through the Kanji 観

These 12 Words contain the Kanji 観 as well.

  • word

    観

    Meaning

    View

  • word

    観光

    Meaning

    Sightseeing

  • word

    観点

    Meaning

    Viewpoint

  • word

    客観

    Meaning

    Objectivity

  • word

    観察

    Meaning

    Observation

  • word

    外観

    Meaning

    Appearance

  • word

    客観的

    Meaning

    Objective

  • word

    主観的

    Meaning

    Subjective

  • word

    観測

    Meaning

    Observation

  • word

    観衆

    Meaning

    Crowd

  • word

    観客

    Meaning

    Audience

  • word

    主観

    Meaning

    Subjectivity

Words Related to 観念 Through the Kanji 念

These 8 Words contain the Kanji 念 as well.

  • word

    概念

    Meaning

    Concept

  • word

    記念日

    Meaning

    Anniversary

  • word

    残念

    Meaning

    Regrettable

  • word

    念

    Meaning

    Thought

  • word

    理念

    Meaning

    Philosophy

  • word

    記念

    Meaning

    Commemoration

  • word

    信念

    Meaning

    Belief

  • word

    念仏

    Meaning

    Prayer

Learn the Word 観念

Let's make sure you fully understand this word.

What does 'Kannen' (観念) mean?

'Kannen' means 'Idea' or 'Notion' .

To help you master this word, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.