Translation guide
The ability to form mental images, ideas, or concepts not present to the senses. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with 想像 (そうぞう), but other words like 想像力 (そうぞうりょく) and 空想 (くうそう) are used depending on whether you mean the faculty, the act, or fanciful daydreaming.
Referring to imagination as a mental ability or capacity.
The standard word for 'imagination' as a faculty or power. Often used in phrases like 'rich imagination' or 'lack of imagination'.
彼は想像力が豊かだ。
He has a rich imagination.
子どもは想像力がすごい。
Children have amazing imaginations.
Can also refer to the faculty, but more commonly used for the act or product of imagining. When used for the faculty, it often appears in compound phrases.
想像を絶する苦しみ
suffering beyond imagination
The process of forming a mental image or idea of something not present or not yet experienced.
The most common word for the act of imagining. Used as a noun or with する to mean 'imagine'.
想像してみてください。
Please try to imagine it.
それは私の想像を超えている。
That is beyond my imagination.
Loanword from English, often used for a mental image or impression, especially in casual or business contexts.
The product of imagination; a thought, picture, or concept created in the mind.
Used for something that is imagined, often contrasted with reality.
それはただの想像だ。
That's just your imagination.
現実と想像の区別がつかない。
I can't tell the difference between reality and imagination.
Refers to fanciful or unrealistic imaginings, daydreams, or fantasies. Often has a nuance of being detached from reality.
Delusion or wild fantasy, often with a negative or pathological connotation. Not a general word for imagination.
The ability to think of new and original ideas.
Specifically refers to creative power or inventiveness. Often used in artistic or innovative contexts.
彼女は素晴らしい創造力を持っている。
She has wonderful creativity.
The ability to come up with ideas or ways of thinking. Common in business and problem-solving contexts.
想像 (そうぞう) is neutral imagination, often based on reality or possibility. 空想 (くうそう) is fanciful daydreaming, not necessarily realistic. 妄想 (もうそう) is delusion, often pathological. Use 想像 for most everyday situations.
The loanword イマジネーション exists but is rarely used in natural Japanese. Stick to 想像力 or 想像.
その言葉からどんなイメージが浮かびますか？
What image comes to mind from that word?
それは子どもの空想に過ぎない。
That's just a child's fantasy.
彼は被害妄想に陥っている。
He is suffering from paranoid delusions.
彼の発想力には驚かされる。
I'm amazed by his ability to come up with ideas.