Japanese word

意

Pronunciation

Romajii

Meaning

  • nounintention

Example

彼の意が伝わりました。kare no i ga tsuta wa ri ma shi ta

His intention came across.

Illustration for 意 (intention)

More examples

相手の意をくんで、言葉を選びます。ai te no i o ku n de koto ba o era bi ma su

I choose my words with the other person's intentions in mind.

Core concept

意 (i, "intention") describes the thought or purpose held in the mind behind what a person says or does.

Common phrases

  • 意をくむi o ku mu

    understand someone's intentions

  • 意を決するi o kes su ru

    make up one's mind

  • 意に沿うi ni so u

    meet someone's wishes

Similar words

意図ito: The purpose or aim behind an action, plan, or statement.
意向ikō: A person's intended course of action or preferred choice.
意志ishi: A person's firm decision or determination to do something.
意思ishi: A thought, wish, or decision that guides a person's actions.

Definition in Japanese

言葉や行動のもとになる、心の中の考えや目的。koto ba ya kō dō no mo to ni na ru kokoro no naka no kanga e ya moku teki

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 意 (i, "intention") is based on the Chinese-derived character 意, whose long-established meanings include a person's thought, sense, or purpose.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 意 (i) usually appears in set expressions rather than alone, so it sounds more formal than ordinary words for a person's thoughts.

Other meanings

  • thoughtnoun

Word lists with this word