想像

• Reading: そうぞう
• Romaji: souzou
• Kanji breakdown: 想 (sō) — concept, think, idea; 像 (zō) — image, figure, statue
• Pronunciation: /soː.zoː/

Meaning

Imagination; supposition; guess. The mental act of forming images or ideas not present in reality.

A noun and suru-verb meaning to imagine or picture something mentally. Different from 創造 (sōzō, creation) which has the same pronunciation. Often used with する (to imagine), できない (cannot imagine), and 以上に (beyond imagination). Common in everyday conversation and creative contexts.

Examples

1. 想像していたより日本は暑かったです。 Japan was hotter than I had imagined.
2. 将来のことを想像するとわくわくします。 When I imagine the future, I get excited.
3. あの映画の結末は想像できませんでした。 I couldn't have imagined the ending of that movie.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, creative arts, conversation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Combines 想 (concept/think) and 像 (image/figure). Together they describe forming mental images — the act of imagining or picturing something in the mind.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal