Translation and Meaning of: 想像 - souzou
On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word 想像 (souzou) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.
Romaji: souzou
Kana: そうぞう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3
Translation / Meaning: imagination; guess
Meaning in English: imagination;guess
Definition: Visualize a phenomenon or thing in a concrete and vivid way in your mind.
Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases
Explanation and Etymology - (想像) souzou
The word 「想像」 (souzou) means "imagination" or "mental conception," referring to the ability to visualize something that does not exist physically or that has not yet been experienced. It is formed by the Kanji 「想」 (sou), which expresses "thought" or "idea," and 「像」 (zou), which means "image" or "figure." Together, they create a term that describes the act of forming images or concepts in the mind, often related to creativity or foresight.
Etymologically, the Kanji 「想」 is associated with mental and emotional activity, while 「像」 has roots in the idea of visual or symbolic representation. When combined, they reinforce the idea of creating internal representations, which is essential for cognitive processes such as planning, artistic creation, and even empathy.
The uses of 「想像」 are broad and appear in various contexts, such as:
- Creativity: It refers to the act of imagining new ideas, scenarios, or possibilities, as in artistic or narrative projects.
- Empathy: Used to describe the ability to put oneself in another person's shoes, visualizing their experiences or feelings.
- Planning: Related to the ability to anticipate or predict future scenarios, often useful in strategies or decision-making.
An interesting point about 「想像」 is the contrast with the word 「創造」 (souzou), which also means "creation." While 「創造」 involves bringing something into existence in the physical or concrete world, 「想像」 remains in the abstract realm, tied to the internal world of the mind. This contrast highlights how the Japanese language differentiates imaginative creation from tangible creation, emphasizing important nuances for understanding the role of creativity and mental conception in culture.
Synonyms and similar words
- 空想 (Kūsō) - Imagination or idea elaboration; often used to describe creative daydreams.
- 白昼夢 (Hakuchūmu) - Daydream; a type of daydreaming that occurs during the day.
- 妄想 (Mōsō) - Delirium; it can refer to unrealistic ideas that do not have a concrete basis, and it can be associated with a more serious mental state.
- 幻想 (Gensō) - Illusion; in this context, refers to images or visions that have no basis in reality.
- ファンタジー (Fantajī) - Fantasy; generally related to a genre of fiction that explores imaginary worlds.
Words related
How to Write in Japanese - (想像) souzou
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese (想像) souzou:
Example Sentences - (想像) souzou
Below are some example sentences:
Sōzōryoku wa mugendai desu
The imagination is infinite.
The imagination is infinite.
- 想像力 (souzouryoku) - means "imagination" in Japanese
- は (wa) - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- 無限大 (mugendai) - means "infinite" in Japanese
- です (desu) - linking verb that indicates the polite and respectful way of expressing yourself in Japanese
Other words of the same type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
