Japanese word

連想

Pronunciation

Romajirensō

Meaning

  • nounassociation

Example

この香りから、春を連想します。ko no kao ri ka ra haru o ren sō shi ma su

I associate this smell with spring.

Illustration for 連想 (association)

More examples

その写真は、昔の友人を連想させます。so no sha shin wa mukashi no yū jin o ren sō sa se ma su

That photo makes me think of an old friend.

Core concept

It describes a mental connection in which one thing naturally brings another related thing to mind.

Common phrases

  • 連想ゲームren sō gē mu

    association game

  • 連想を呼ぶren sō o yo bu

    evoke associations

  • 連想が働くren sō ga hatara ku

    make associations

Similar words

想起sōki: The act of bringing a memory, idea, or image back to mind.
関連付けkanrentsuke: The act of connecting one idea or piece of information with another.

Definition in Japanese

刺激や手がかりから、それに結びつく物事を心に思い浮かべること。shi geki ya te ga ka ri ka ra so re ni musu bi tsu ku mono goto o kokoro ni omo i u ka be ru ko to

Word origin

連想 (rensō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 連 (ren, "connect") and 想 (sō, "think"), so its form reflects a connection between thoughts.

Usage tips

  • The English word association covers several meanings, while Japanese 連想 (rensō) is used for the mental process of linking one thought or impression with another.

Related words

  • 連想するrensōsuruassociateverb

Word lists with this word