Japanese word

理想

Pronunciation

Romajirisō

Meaning

  • nounideal

Example

それは私の理想です。so re wa watashi no ri sō de su

That is my ideal.

Illustration for 理想 (ideal)

More examples

私は理想を現実にする方法を考えています。watashi wa ri sō o gen jitsu ni su ru hō hō o kanga e te i ma su

I am thinking about how to make my ideal a reality.

Core concept

Describes a desired state or model that serves as a standard for what one hopes to achieve.

Common phrases

  • 理想と現実ri sō to gen jitsu

    ideals and reality

  • 理想の生活ri sō no sei katsu

    ideal life

  • 理想を実現するri sō o jitsu gen su ru

    realize an ideal

Similar words

目標mokuhyō: A result or condition that someone sets out to achieve.
夢yume: A hoped-for future or achievement that may not yet have a clear plan.
理想像risōzō: An imagined form or condition that represents the best state one wants to reach.

Definition in Japanese

実現したいと望む、最もよい状態やあり方。jitsu gen shi ta i to nozo mu motto mo yo i jō tai ya a ri kata

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 理想 (risō, "ideal") combines 理 (ri, "reason or principle") and 想 (sō, "thought or conception"), giving the sense of a thought that serves as a guiding standard.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 理想 (risō) can describe a hoped-for partner or lifestyle, so it appears in personal conversations about relationships and future plans.

Opposites

Related words

  • 理想的risōtekiidealna-adjective
  • 理想化risōkaidealizationnoun
  • 理想主義risōshugiidealismnoun

Word lists with this word