思 – Kanji Meaning, Reading, and Common Words

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What does 思 mean in Japanese?

思 means to think or to feel in Japanese. It is the kanji in 思う (omou, to think), the verb behind と思います (I think that…), a pattern learners use in almost every conversation to share and soften opinions.

思 has two main readings. Read it as おもう (omou) in the verb 思う, meaning ‘to think,’ and as シ (shi) in compounds such as 思考 (shikou, thinking) and 不思議 (fushigi, mysterious). Unlike 考える, which suggests step-by-step reasoning, 思う leans toward feelings and impressions.

Reading

On’yomi: シ (shi)

Kun’yomi: おも-う (omo-u)

Basic Information

Kanji 思
Meaning think, feel
Stroke Count 9
JLPT Level N4

How to Understand This Kanji

思 covers thinking that is colored by feeling. 思う is used for opinions, impressions, and emotions, while 考える (to consider) suggests more deliberate reasoning. The character places 心 (heart) at the bottom, which helps explain its emotional side. Words like 思い出 (memory) and 思いやり (consideration for others) show the same warmth.

Common Words

  • 思う（おもう / omou） — to think, to feel
  • 思い出（おもいで / omoide） — memory, recollection
  • 思い出す（おもいだす / omoidasu） — to recall, to remember
  • 不思議（ふしぎ / fushigi） — mysterious, strange
  • 思いやり（おもいやり / omoiyari） — consideration, thoughtfulness
  • 思考（しこう / shikou） — thinking, thought (formal)

Example Sentences

  • 明日は晴れると思います。

    あしたははれるとおもいます。 / Ashita wa hareru to omoimasu.

    I think it will be sunny tomorrow.

  • 京都旅行はいい思い出になりました。

    きょうとりょこうはいいおもいでになりました。 / Kyouto ryokou wa ii omoide ni narimashita.

    The trip to Kyoto became a good memory.

  • その話はとても不思議だと思いました。

    そのはなしはとてもふしぎだとおもいました。 / Sono hanashi wa totemo fushigi da to omoimashita.

    I thought that story was very mysterious.

Related Kanji

  • 考

    — 考 means to think in the sense of careful reasoning; comparing 思う (impressions and feelings) with 考える (deliberate thought) is a classic step in understanding Japanese verbs of thinking.

  • 心

    — 心 means heart and sits at the bottom of 思, which helps explain why 思う covers feelings as much as thoughts.

  • 出

    — 出 means to come out, and 思い出 (memory) literally combines ‘think’ with ‘come out’: a thought that comes back to you.

When Learners Usually See This Kanji

Master と思います early: adding it to a sentence turns a blunt statement into a soft opinion, which is how Japanese speakers usually talk. Distinguish 思い出 (omoide, a memory) from 思い出す (omoidasu, to recall); the first is a noun, the second a verb. 不思議 (fushigi, mysterious) is a common word in conversation, titles, and stories.

Summary

思 means to think or feel and powers 思う and と思います, the everyday pattern for sharing opinions, along with warm words like 思い出.