回想
kaisō[ka̠iso̞ː]
The English word "reminiscence" is translated into Japanese as 回想 (kaisō).
回想 is a noun used to describe the act of reflecting on past events or the act of remembering. It is frequently used in literary contexts.
Meaning: act of remembering (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 回想 is the standard term for reminiscence, 追憶 is a more formal term that specifically captures a sense of deep reflection and longing. For a more descriptive phrase, you can use 記憶を語る, which means "to talk about memories" and is used for sharing reminiscences in formal settings. If you want to describe the sensation of memories coming alive or flooding back, use 思い出がよみがえる.
How do you pronounce it?
kaisō
Did you know?
- When using the phrase 思い出がよみがえる, the verb よみがえる literally means 'to be reborn' or 'to rise from the dead', suggesting that memories are living entities that can return to life.
- The word 追憶 (longing reminiscence) contains the character 追, which means 'to chase' or 'to pursue', implying that reminiscence is an active attempt to chase after the past.
- The kanji for 回想 literally means 'turning' and 'thinking', suggesting that the act of reminiscence is a mental loop where one circles back to a previous point in time.
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are looking at an old photo album together.
- 結衣 Yuiこの写真を見ると、当時の回想に浸るわね。Kono shashin o miru to, tōji no kaisō ni hitaru wa ne.Looking at these photos makes me soak in the reminiscence of those days.
- 陽太 Yota本当に懐かしいね。陽太も同じ気持ちだよ。Hontō ni natsukashii ne. Yōta mo onaji kimochi dayo.It really brings back memories. I feel the same way.
- 結衣 Yuiあの頃の思い出は、最高の回想になるわ。Ano koro no omoide wa, saikō no kaisō ni naru wa.The memories from that time will be the best reminiscence.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだね。大切にしたい思い出だね。Sō da ne. Taisetsu ni shitai omoide da ne.You're right. Those are memories I want to cherish.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 回想, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
