想 means “idea, imagine, thought”

そう · sou

Also: conception, think

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

おもう

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ソウ, ソ

JLPT N3 · Taught in grade 3 · 13 strokes

The story

An eye (目) fixed on a tree (木), with the heart (心) beneath: look long enough and the mind starts adding what isn't there. 想像 is imagination, 予想 a forecast, and Japanese pupils spend their summer holidays writing a 読書感想文, a book-report essay.

Used in 想像 (souzou, imagination), 予想 (yosou, forecast/expectation), and 感想 (kansou, impressions)

More from Thinking & Knowing

• 念 thought
• 察 observe
• 識 know
• 覚 remember
• 忘 forget
• 慣 get used to
• 才 talent
• 実 reality
• 解 solve
• 信 trust
• 確 certain
• 能 ability

Learn 想 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.