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What is the Kanji for 'Concept'? | 想

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Concept', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Concept' is 想.

    kanji

    想

    Meaning

    Concept

    Reading

    kunyomiおも

    omo

    onyomiそう

    sou

    Parts

    相Mutual 心Heart

    Example Word

    思想: thought or ideology. The Japanese noun '思想 (しそう)' refers to 'thought' or 'ideology'. It is used to describe a system of ideas, beliefs, or philosophies, often in a formal or intellectual context. This word can be applied to personal thoughts, philosophical concepts, or political ideologies. For example: His thought is unique「彼の思想は独特だ」(かれのしそうはどくとくだ). The ideology of the movement is progressive「その運動の思想は進歩的だ」(そのうんどうのしそうはしんぽてきだ). Note that '思想' often carries a deeper, more structured connotation than casual thinking, and it is frequently used in academic or political discussions.

    Radical

    心

    Stroke Count

    13

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    3

    Frequency

    206

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji 想

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    相

    Meaning

    Mutual

    kanji

    心

    Meaning

    Heart

Words Using 想

This kanji is used in 12 words:

    word

    連想

    Meaning

    Association

    word

    発想

    Meaning

    Idea

    word

    想像

    Meaning

    Conception, Imagination

    word

    構想

    Meaning

    Plan, Conception

    word

    理想

    Meaning

    Ideal

    word

    想定

    Meaning

    Assumption

    word

    思想

    Meaning

    Thought, Ideology

    word

    感想

    Meaning

    Impression

    word

    可哀想

    Meaning

    Pitiful

    word

    予想

    Meaning

    Expectation, Prediction

    word

    幻想

    Meaning

    Illusion, Fantasy

    word

    空想

    Meaning

    Daydream

Kanji Related to 想 Through the Part 相

These 2 kanji contain the part 相 as well.

    kanji

    箱

    Meaning

    Box

    kanji

    霜

    Meaning

    Frost

Kanji Related to 想 Through the Part 心

These 43 kanji contain the part 心 as well.

    kanji

    窓

    Meaning

    Window

    kanji

    愛

    Meaning

    Love

    kanji

    意

    Meaning

    Idea

    kanji

    惑

    Meaning

    Beguile, Bewildered

    kanji

    忌

    Meaning

    Abhor, Mourning

    kanji

    急

    Meaning

    Urgent

    kanji

    息

    Meaning

    Breath

    kanji

    愚

    Meaning

    Foolish

    kanji

    恣

    Meaning

    Selfish, Arbitrary

    kanji

    患

    Meaning

    Ill, Afflicted

    kanji

    怠

    Meaning

    Lazy, Neglect

    kanji

    慰

    Meaning

    Console, Consolation

    kanji

    徳

    Meaning

    Virtue

    kanji

    恵

    Meaning

    Favor, Bestow a favor

    kanji

    愁

    Meaning

    Distress, Melancholy

    kanji

    忠

    Meaning

    Loyalty

    kanji

    悪

    Meaning

    Evil

    kanji

    恩

    Meaning

    Grace, Kindness

    kanji

    応

    Meaning

    Answer, Respond

    kanji

    思

    Meaning

    Think

    kanji

    懇

    Meaning

    Cordial, Courteous

    kanji

    芯

    Meaning

    Wick

    kanji

    悠

    Meaning

    Remote, Leisurely

    kanji

    忍

    Meaning

    Endure, Stealth

    kanji

    恋

    Meaning

    Love, Romance

    kanji

    恐

    Meaning

    Fear

    kanji

    恥

    Meaning

    Ashamed, Shame

    kanji

    懲

    Meaning

    Chastise, Learn by mistakes

    kanji

    聴

    Meaning

    Listen

    kanji

    慶

    Meaning

    Congratulate, Congratulations

    kanji

    志

    Meaning

    Intention

    kanji

    態

    Meaning

    Appearance, Condition

    kanji

    憲

    Meaning

    Constitution

    kanji

    念

    Meaning

    Thought

    kanji

    怨

    Meaning

    Grudge

    kanji

    感

    Meaning

    Feeling, Sensation

    kanji

    怒

    Meaning

    Anger, Angry

    kanji

    懸

    Meaning

    Suspend

    kanji

    憩

    Meaning

    Rest

    kanji

    悲

    Meaning

    Sad

    kanji

    必

    Meaning

    Inevitable, Certain

    kanji

    慈

    Meaning

    Affection, Mercy

    kanji

    忘

    Meaning

    Forget

Learn the Kanji 想

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 想 mean?

想 means 'Concept'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

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