Translation guide
The act of practicing or going through something in your mind before actually doing it. In Japanese, this is often expressed with specific verbs and nouns related to mental practice, simulation, or imagery.
To mentally practice a skill, speech, or performance before the real thing.
A common loanword phrase meaning 'to do image training'. Widely used in sports, presentations, and skill practice.
I did mental rehearsal before the match.
Literally 'to practice in one's head'. A straightforward and natural way to express mental rehearsal.
I rehearsed the speech in my head.
Uses 'rehearsal' as a loanword, emphasizing the mental aspect with 'in one's heart/mind'.
I did a mental rehearsal before the interview.
A direct loanword from English, used in psychology or sports science contexts. Less common in everyday speech.
Mental rehearsal is often used in sports psychology.
To imagine a future event or conversation in detail, often to prepare for it.
Means 'to simulate'. Commonly used for mentally running through a scenario, like a conversation or plan.
I simulated the flow of the meeting in my mind.
Literally 'to picture in one's head'. Emphasizes the visual imagery aspect of mental rehearsal.
Means 'to do a dry run' or 'rehearsal'. Can be used for mental rehearsal but often implies a more formal or physical practice.
To mentally review or replay something that has already happened or been learned.
イメージトレーニング is the most common and versatile term for mental rehearsal in Japanese. It can be used in casual and formal contexts, and is understood across sports, business, and education.
I do mental rehearsal every morning.
In Japanese, リハーサル usually implies a physical rehearsal, while イメージトレーニング or 頭の中での練習 clearly indicates a mental one. Be careful not to confuse them.
We do the rehearsal in the gym, but you can do mental rehearsal at home.
I pictured the scene of success in my mind.
I did a mental dry run of the presentation.
I repeated the steps in my mind.