Japanese word

印象

Pronunciation

Romajiinshō

Meaning

  • nounimpression

Example

私はその人に良い印象を持っています。watashi wa so no hito ni yo i in shō o mo tte i ma su

I have a good impression of that person.

Illustration for 印象 (impression)

More examples

初対面では、印象よりもあいさつが大切です。hatsu tai men de wa in shō yo ri mo a i sa tsu ga tai setsu de su

When meeting someone for the first time, a greeting matters more than the impression you make.

Core concept

Captures the lasting mental picture or feeling that something leaves in the mind after it is encountered.

Common phrases

  • 第一印象dai ichi in shō

    first impression

  • 良い印象を与えるyo i in shō o ata e ru

    make a good impression

  • 印象に残るin shō ni noko ru

    leave an impression

  • 悪い印象waru i in shō

    bad impression

Similar words

感じkanji: A general sense or feeling about a person, thing, or situation.
イメージimēji: A mental picture associated with a person, thing, or situation.

Definition in Japanese

人や物事に接したときに心に残る感じや受け止め方。hito ya mono goto ni ses shi ta to ki ni kokoro ni noko ru kan ji ya u ke to me kata

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 印 (in, "mark") + 象 (shō, "form") combines the ideas of a mark and a form to mean a mental image left by an encounter.

Usage tips

  • English speakers also use "impression" for a physical mark, as in an impression in soft clay, while 印象 (inshō) usually concerns a mental response.

Related words

Word lists with this word