思い出す

• Reading: おもいだす
• Romaji: omoidasu
• Kanji breakdown: 思 (shi/omo) — think, thought; 出 (shutsu/da/de) — exit, bring out
• Pronunciation: /o.mo.i.da.sɯ/

Meaning

To recall; to remember; to recollect. Bringing a past memory back to mind.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb conjugating with the す row. A compound verb from 思う (think) and 出す (bring out). The noun form 思い出 (omoide = memory, recollection) is also extremely common. Often triggered by sensory cues like photos, smells, or music.

Examples

1. 写真を見て学生時代を思い出した。 Looking at the photos, I recalled my school days.
2. 急に大事なことを思い出しました。 I suddenly remembered something important.
3. 名前が思い出せなくて困った。 I couldn't remember the name and it was frustrating.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, nostalgia, conversation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A compound verb from 思う (to think) and 出す (to bring out). Literally means to bring a thought out — to retrieve a memory from within.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal