Translation guide
The act of recalling past experiences, often with a sense of nostalgia. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, verbs, and phrases that emphasize memory, nostalgia, or storytelling.
Expressing the general act of reminiscing or recalling past events.
A neutral noun meaning 'recollection' or 'retrospection'. Often used in formal or written contexts.
彼はよく子供時代の回想をする。
He often reminisces about his childhood.
A more literary or poetic term for 'reminiscence', often implying a deep, emotional recollection.
彼女は過ぎ去った日々を追憶にふけった。
She indulged in reminiscences of days gone by.
A common phrase meaning 'to immerse oneself in memories' or 'to bask in reminiscences'.
彼は昔の写真を見ながら思い出に浸っていた。
He was reminiscing while looking at old photos.
A straightforward way to say 'recall the past' or 'reminisce'. Very natural in conversation.
時々、昔を思い出すことがある。
Sometimes I reminisce about the past.
Referring to a narrative or written work that recounts personal memories.
A 'memoir' or 'reminiscences' in book form. Standard term for published personal recollections.
彼の回想録はベストセラーになった。
His reminiscences became a bestseller.
Similar to 回想録, but often used for more formal or historical memoirs.
Expressing the emotional aspect of reminiscence, often with a sense of longing or fondness.
Nostalgia or homesickness; a sentimental longing for the past.
その歌を聞くと郷愁を感じる。
That song makes me feel nostalgic (reminiscent).
A common phrase meaning 'a nostalgic feeling'. 懐かしい is the adjective for 'nostalgic'.
古いアルバムを見ると懐かしい気持ちになる。
Looking at old albums makes me feel reminiscent.
回想 (recollection) is more formal and often used in written or analytical contexts, while 思い出 (memory) is the everyday word for personal memories. To express 'reminiscing', 思い出に浸る or 昔を思い出す are more natural than using 回想する in casual speech.
彼はよく昔を思い出す。
He often reminisces.
彼は回想録を書いている。
He is writing his reminiscences.
The English noun 'reminiscence' is often best translated with a verb phrase or a more specific noun in Japanese. Using 回想 directly in casual conversation may sound stiff. Choose the expression based on context: storytelling (思い出話), feeling (懐かしさ), or formal recollection (回想).
A casual term for 'reminiscences' as stories or anecdotes shared in conversation.
祖母の思い出話を聞くのが好きだ。
I like listening to my grandmother's reminiscences.
その政治家は回顧録を出版した。
The politician published his reminiscences.
Loanword for 'nostalgia', often used in modern contexts.
この映画は80年代のノスタルジアを感じさせる。
This movie evokes 80s nostalgia.