Japanese Words for “Impression“ and How to Pronounce Them158

In Japanese, there are several words that can be used to express the concept of "impression." The choice of word depends on the specific context and the nuance that the speaker wishes to convey. Here are some of the most common Japanese words for "impression" along with their pronunciations and usage examples:

1. 印 象 (インショウ inshoo)

"Inshoo" is the most general and widely used word for "impression." It can refer to the overall feeling or opinion that someone has about something or someone else. For example:

この映画のインショウはとてもよかった。(Kono eiga no inshoo wa totemo yokatta.)
I had a very good impression of this movie.

2. 感想 (カンソウ kansoo)

"Kansoo" refers to a personal opinion or reflection on something. It is often used in the context of expressing one's thoughts and feelings after experiencing or learning about something. For example:

この本を読んだ感想を聞かせてください。(Kono hon o yonda kansoo o kikasete kudasai.)
Please tell me your impressions after reading this book.

3. 印象 的 (インショウテキ inshoteki)

"Inshoteki" is an adjective that means "impressive" or "memorable." It is used to describe something that makes a strong and lasting impression on someone. For example:

あの先生の授業はすごく印象的だった。(Ano sensei no jugyou wa sugoku inshoteki datta.)
That teacher's lesson was very impressive.

4. 好 印象 (コウインショウ kouinshoo)

"Kouinshoo" means "favorable impression." It is used to express a positive opinion or feeling towards someone or something. For example:

この会社は好印象を受けました。(Kono kaisha wa kouinshoo o ukemashita.)
I had a favorable impression of this company.

5. 悪 印象 (アクインショウ akuinshoo)

"Akuinshoo" means "unfavorable impression." It is used to express a negative opinion or feeling towards someone or something. For example:

このサービスは悪印象を受けました。(Kono sabisu wa akuinshoo o ukemashita.)
I had an unfavorable impression of this service.

6. 第一印象 (ダイイチインショウ daichiinshoo)

"Daichiinshoo" means "first impression." It refers to the initial opinion or feeling that someone forms about someone or something upon meeting them or encountering them for the first time. For example:

この人の第一印象は悪くなかった。(Kono hito no daichiinshoo wa warukunakatta.)
My first impression of this person was not bad.

7. 印象深い (インショウブカイ inshobukai)

"Inshobukai" is an adjective that means "impressive" or "memorable." It is similar to "inshoteki" but has a stronger emphasis on the lasting nature of the impression. For example:

あの景色はすごく印象深かった。(Ano keshiki wa sugoku inshobukaku datta.)
That scenery was very impressive.

8. 印象に残る (インショウニノコル insho ninokoru)

"Insho ninokoru" is a verb phrase that means "to leave an impression on someone." It is used to describe something that makes a lasting impact on someone's mind. For example:

あの言葉は私の心に残りました。(Ano kotoba wa watashi no kokoro ni nokori mashita.)
Those words left an impression on my mind.

9. 印象を変える (インショウヲカエル inshoo o kaeru)

"Inshoo o kaeru" is a verb phrase that means "to change one's impression of something or someone." It can be used to describe a shift in opinion or feeling over time. For example:

最初はあまり良い印象を持っていませんでしたが、話を聞いて印象が変わりました。(Saisho wa amari yoi inshoo o motte imasendeshita ga, hanashi o kiite inshoo ga kawarimashita.)
At first, I didn't have a very good impression of him, but after talking to him, my impression changed.

10. 印象を操る (インショウヲアヤツル inshoo o ayatsuru)

"Inshoo o ayatsuru" is a verb phrase that means "to manipulate or control someone's impression." It can be used in a negative sense to describe someone who is trying to deceive or mislead others. For example:

彼は自分の印象を操作して人を騙そうとした。(Kare wa jibun no inshoo o ayatsute hito o damasou to shita.)
He tried to manipulate his impression to deceive people.

2025-01-07

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