How to say "contemplate" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 考えるかんがえるichidan verb, transitive verbThe general word for thinking, so it covers contemplate in its basic sense of pondering or thinking something over. Use it when contemplating a problem, a decision, or what to do next.
- 省みるかえりみるichidan verb, transitive verbCovers contemplate in the introspective sense of reflecting on oneself or one's past conduct. Choose it when contemplating one's own actions or mistakes, as when looking back after a failure.
- 企てるくわだてるichidan verb, transitive verbReally means to plan, plot, or design something; it matches contemplate only where that shades into planning or scheming, and for reflective thinking it is seldom the word you want.
Use 「考える」 for contemplate in the sense of thinking or pondering something, 「省みる」 for contemplating oneself or one's past conduct, and 「企てる」 only when contemplate means planning or plotting an undertaking.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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