Meaning
Whether you are sharing an opinion or reminiscing about the past, the kanji 思 is an essential part of daily Japanese. It represents the act of thinking, but with a unique twist. Unlike its logical counterpart 考 (to think/analyze), 思 often carries an emotional or subjective weight. It is used when you "feel" that something is true or when your heart is involved in the thought process.
The character's history is quite revealing. It consists of two parts: a top section that looks like "field" (田) and a bottom section for "heart" (心). However, the top part was originally a pictograph of a skull (囟), representing the brain. This combination of brain plus heart suggests that true thought happens when the mind and spirit work together. Over time, the brain symbol was simplified into the field shape we see today.
Japanese children learn this kanji in the 2nd grade. It has 9 strokes in total. For N4 learners, mastering 思 is vital because it allows you to express your personal beliefs and intentions using the common grammar pattern "~と思います" (I think that...).
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi for this kanji is シ (shi). You will mostly find this reading in formal nouns or academic terms. These words usually describe structured mental activities or ideologies.
思考 (shikou) — Thought or the process of thinking. For example: 思考回路 (one's train of thought).
思想 (shisou) — Ideology or a specific set of beliefs, often used in politics or philosophy.
意思 (ishi) — Intention or will. This is common in formal situations, such as expressing a will to do something.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The native reading is おも.う (omou). This is the version you will use most often as a verb. It helps you express opinions, feelings, and memories. Note that the "u" part (う) is written in hiragana as okurigana.
思う (omou) — To think, believe, or feel.
思い出す (omoidasu) — To recall or remember. It literally means a thought "coming out."
思いやり (omoiyari) — Consideration or empathy for others. It is highly valued in Japanese culture.
Common Words & Compounds
Emotional & Personal Expressions
思い出 (omoide) — Memories. This refers to significant past events that you hold in your heart.
片思い (kataomoi) — Unrequited love. It literally translates to "one-sided thinking."
思いきり (omoikiri) — With all one's heart, or decisively. For example, doing something 思いきり means giving it your all.
Intellectual & Social Contexts
不思議 (fushigi) — Mysterious or wonderful. The kanji components imply something that cannot be grasped by thought alone.
思春期 (shishunki) — Adolescence or puberty. Poetically, it is the "springtime of thinking" when new emotions emerge.
意思疎通 (ishisotsuu) — Mutual understanding. This describes how well two people are communicating their thoughts to each other.
思いがけない (omoigakenai) — Unexpected. Used when something happens that was never even "hanging" on your thoughts.
Example Sentences
明日は雨が降ると思います。
ashita wa ame ga furu to omoimasu.
I think it will rain tomorrow.
日本での思い出を忘れません。
nihon de no omoide wo wasuremasen.
I will never forget my memories in Japan.
彼はとても思いやりがある人です。
kare wa totemo omoiyari ga aru hito desu.
He is a very considerate person.
名前がなかなか思い出せません。
namae ga nakanaka omoidasemasen.
I can't quite remember the name.
不思議なことに、鍵が消えてしまいました。
fushigi na koto ni, kagi ga kiete shimaimashita.
Mysteriously, the keys have disappeared.
自分の意思をしっかり持つことが大切だ。
jibun no ishi wo shikkari motsu koto ga taisetsu da.
It is important to have a strong will of your own.
Related Kanji
- 死 — Death, Die (Kanji N4)
- 走 — Run, Move fast (Kanji N4)
- 開 — Open, Unfold, Begin (Kanji N4)
- 知 — Know, Wisdom, Intellect (Kanji N4)
- 黒 — Black, Dark (Kanji N4)
- 洗 — Wash (Kanji N4)
Memory Tip
To remember 思, think of a brain (田) working right above a heart (心). In this kanji, the top is where you process ideas, but the heart at the bottom gives those ideas meaning. When your head and your heart agree, that is when you truly "think" or "feel" something.