Japanese Conversation · Level 84
60 words
Japanese word
意味合い
Pronunciation
Romajiimiai
Meaning
- nounconnotation
Example
その言葉には否定的な意味合いがあります。so no koto ba ni wa hi tei teki na i mi a i ga a ri ma su
That word has a negative connotation.
More examples
この表現は、地域によって異なる意味合いを持ちます。ko no hyō gen wa chi iki ni yo tte koto na ru i mi a i o mo chi ma su
This expression has different connotations depending on the region.
Core concept
It describes the extra feeling or suggestion that a word carries beyond its basic dictionary meaning.
Common phrases
否定的な意味合いhi tei teki na i mi a i
negative connotation
肯定的な意味合いkō tei teki na i mi a i
positive connotation
文化的な意味合いbun ka teki na i mi a i
cultural connotation
Similar words
ニュアンスnyuansu: A subtle shade of meaning, feeling, or tone in an expression.
語感gokan: The feeling or tone that a word conveys beyond its basic meaning.
含みfukumi: An indirect meaning or suggestion that is not stated openly.
含意gani: A meaning that is implied rather than directly expressed.
Definition in Japanese
言葉などが表す内容に伴って感じ取られる印象や含み。koto ba na do ga arawa su nai yō ni tomona tte kan ji to ra re ru in shō ya fuku mi
Word origin
The compound 意味合い (imiai, "connotation") combines 意味 (imi, "meaning") with 合い (ai, "relation or fit"), giving the sense of meaning shaped by context.
Usage tips
- In conversation, "childlike" often has a positive connotation, while "childish" often has a negative one, although both relate to a child's behavior.
Other meanings
- implicationnoun
- nuancenoun