How to say "image" in Japanese

• イメージCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers the picture in your head: what something or someone is like in your mind, an impression. Typical when talking about the image a brand, place, or person gives.
  あの人ひとはどうもイメージが悪わるい。↗

  He makes a bad impression.
• 映像えいぞうJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounAn image that appears on a screen: television pictures, video, film footage. Use this for moving or displayed visual images rather than pictures in the mind.
  その映像えいぞうはピントがあっていない。↗

  The image is not in focus.
• 画像がぞうCommon
  nounA picture treated as a graphic object, especially one displayed or stored on a computer, phone, or camera; it can also mean a portrait.
  テレビの画像がぞうはぼやけて見みえた。↗

  The TV picture was blurred.
• 像ぞうJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, noun (suffix)For 'image' this is really the physical likeness sense: a statue, figure, or carved representation of a person or animal. Seldom the word you want for mental or on-screen images.
  その像ぞうは型かたに入いれられて作つくられた。↗

  The statue was cast in a mold.
• 偶像ぐうぞうCommon
  nounAn image in the religious sense: an idol or statue worshipped as a god, or an object of devotion. Not the word for ordinary pictures or mental images.

Choose 「イメージ」 for mental images and impressions, 映像 for images on a screen, 画像 for pictures as graphics, 像 for statues and figures, and 偶像 for idols or objects of worship.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• イメージimage (in one's mind)
• 映像えいぞうimage (on a screen)
• 画像がぞうimage
• 像ぞうimage
• 偶像ぐうぞうimage
• 映りうつりprojection
• 心象しんしょうmental image
• 形象けいしょうshape
• 写象しゃしょうimage
• ご影ごえいimage (esp. of a deity, buddha, royal, noble, etc.)
• 描画像びょうがぞうimage
• イマージュimage
• イメージ画像イメージがぞうimage (used to explain or demonstrate something)
• 写像しゃぞうmapping
• 表章ひょうしょうsymbol
• 画面がめんimage (on a screen)
• 絵えimage (TV, film, etc.)
• 影かげreflection
• アイドルidol (object of worship)
• 姿すがたstate
• 尊体そんたいimage (e.g. of Buddha)
• 表象ひょうしょう(mental) image