思: the kanji for think
思 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means think. Below are its readings, 9 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
思 is written in 9 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
思 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 9 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
シ (shi)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 意思いし · ishi | intention |
| 思考しこう · shikō | thinking |
| 思想しそう · shisō | thought; ideology |
| 不思議ふしぎ · fushigi | mysterious; strange |
おもう (omou)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 思うおもう · omou | to think |
| 思い出おもいで · omoide | memory |
| 思い出すおもいだす · omoidasu | to remember |
| 思いやりおもいやり · omoiyari | consideration; kindness |
| 思わずおもわず · omowazu | without thinking |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- いい考えだと思います。Ii kangae da to omoimasu.I think that's a good idea.
- 彼の名前が思い出せません。Kare no namae ga omoidasemasen.I can't remember his name.
- 京都旅行はいい思い出になりました。Kyōto ryokō wa ii omoide ni narimashita.The trip to Kyoto became a great memory.
- この計画は少し難しいと思います。Kono keikaku wa sukoshi muzukashii to omoimasu.I think this plan is a little difficult.
- 思いやりのある上司です。Omoiyari no aru jōshi desu.My boss is a considerate person.
- 本人の意思を確認しました。Honnin no ishi o kakunin shimashita.We confirmed the person's own wishes.
Questions about 思
How many strokes does 思 have?
思 is written in 9 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 思?
The on readings are shi (シ). The kun readings are omou (おもう).
Why do Japanese speakers add と思います so often?
〜と思います (to omoimasu, I think) softens a statement. In business, 難しいと思います (muzukashii to omoimasu, I think it would be difficult) is a polite way to say no without sounding blunt.
What JLPT level is 思?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Study and thinking
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 思
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.