考え
kangae[kã̠ŋɡa̠e̞]
The English phrase "thoughts" can be translated into Japanese as 考え (kangae).
考え is used to express a personal opinion, a plan or a specific way of looking at a situation.
Which one should you use?
While 考え refers to a specific thought, idea or opinion, the word 思考 is used for the more abstract, formal process of thinking or cognition.
How does it change in a sentence?
考え is the noun form derived from the verb 考える, which means "to think". In spoken Japanese, the informal phrase ～んだよな can be used to add nuances of thoughts or opinions.
Did you know?
- When someone is 'lost in thought', Japanese uses the expression 考え込む, where the verb 込む implies entering a deep or enclosed space.
- In certain poetic contexts, a 'thought' or 'intention' can be expressed as 思い (omoi), which carries a much deeper emotional weight than the logical 考え.
- In Japanese culture, expressing one's 考え too directly in a group can be seen as aggressive, so people often frame their thoughts as a question to save face.
Examples in context
- 何を考えているの？A penny for your thoughts.This sentence is useful for asking what someone is thinking regarding 考え.Tatoeba #187559 by bunbuku, translation #24694 by CK
- トムがどう考えているかを聞きたい。I'd like to ask Tom what his thoughts are.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to ask someone about their 考え.Tatoeba #5020164 by huizi99, translation #5057829 by mactrey
- 自分の考えは書いておいた方がいいよ。You should write down your thoughts.This sentence is useful for suggesting that one should write down their 考え.Tatoeba #9151988 by bunbuku, translation #13265294 by CK
- 彼の提案は素晴らしいと思います。(Kare no teian wa subarashii to omoimasu.)I think his proposal is excellent.
- 私たちは未来が明るいと信じています。(Watashitachi wa mirai ga akarui to shinjite imasu.)We believe that the future is bright.
- この映画は面白いと思うよ。(Kono eiga wa omoshiroi to omou yo.)I think this movie is interesting.
- この場所は落ち着いた雰囲気を感じるね。(Kono basho wa ochitsuita fun'iki o kanjiru ne.)I feel a calm atmosphere in this place.
- あの映画、すごく面白かったんだよな。(Ano eiga, sugoku omoshirokatta n da yo na.)That movie was really interesting, you know.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are discussing a new project at work.
- 結衣 Yuiこの計画について、大翔さんの考えを聞かせて。Kono keikaku ni tsuite, Hiroto-san no kangae o kikasete.Let me hear your thoughts on this plan, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hirotoいいですね。私は賛成です。Ii desu ne. Watashi wa sansei desu.It's good. I agree with it.
- 結衣 Yui結衣さんはどう思いますか？Yui-san wa dou omoimasu ka?What do you think, Yui?
- 大翔 Hiroto私の考えは、もう少し予算が必要だということです。Watashi no kangae wa, mou sukoshi yosan ga hitsuyou da to iu koto desu.My thought is that we need a bit more budget.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 考え, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
