幻想

• Reading: げんそう
• Romaji: gensou
• Kanji breakdown: 幻 (gen/maboroshi) — phantom, illusion; 想 (sō/omo) — thought, imagine
• Pronunciation: /ɡensoː/

Meaning

Illusion; fantasy; vision. A mental image or belief detached from reality, often beautiful or deceptive.

A noun used in both positive and negative senses. In literary or artistic contexts, 幻想 evokes dreamlike beauty and imagination (幻想的 — fantastical/dreamlike). In analytical contexts, it implies a false belief or misguided expectation that will be shattered by reality. Common in phrases like 幻想を抱く (to harbour an illusion) and 幻想が崩れる (illusion collapses).

Examples

1. 永遠の平和という幻想は、現実によって打ち砕かれた。 The illusion of eternal peace was shattered by reality.
2. 月明かりに照らされた森は、幻想的な雰囲気を漂わせていた。 The forest bathed in moonlight exuded a fantastical atmosphere.
3. 彼はその人物に対して抱いていた幻想を手放すことができなかった。 He could not let go of the illusions he had held about that person.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, philosophy, psychology, art

Tone: reflective or critical

Origin & History

Compound of 幻 (gen, phantom/illusion) and 想 (sō, thought/imagination). Together they form the concept of an imagined or illusory vision.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal