How to say "impression" in Japanese

• 感じかんじJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers the impression you form of something or someone — how it comes across to you; very close to 'feeling' or 'sense', as in getting the impression that someone is tired.
  その部屋へやは居心地いごこちの良よい感かんじがした。↗

  The room had a nice cozy feel.
• イメージCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe mental picture or overall impression you hold of a person, place, or thing — the image something projects or that you have formed in your mind.
  あの人ひとはどうもイメージが悪わるい。↗

  He makes a bad impression.
• 印象いんしょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe most direct word for an impression: the effect a person, event, or experience leaves on you, as in the impression someone makes when you first meet them.
  彼女かのじょは気きの利きく女の子おんなのこである印象いんしょうを強つよく受うけた。↗

  She struck me as a tactful girl.
• 感激かんげきJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbReally means deep emotion or being deeply moved; its 'impression' sense is the strong emotional impact something makes, so it is seldom the word for an ordinary impression or opinion.
  彼かれの言葉ことばで彼女かのじょは感激かんげきのあまり涙なみだぐんだ。↗

  His words moved her to tears.
• 版はんJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, noun (suffix)Only the printing and publishing sense: an 'impression' of a book is a particular printing or print run, as in a second impression; never used for impressions as feelings or views.
  この辞書じしょは簡約かんやく版ばんだ。↗

  This dictionary is an abridged edition.

Choose 印象 for the impression a person or thing makes, 「感じ」 for how something feels or comes across, 「イメージ」 for a mental picture; 感激 means deep emotion, and 版 is a printing term.

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

• 感じかんじfeeling
• イメージimage (in one's mind)
• 印象いんしょうimpression
• 感激かんげきdeep emotion
• 版はんedition
• 効き目ききめeffect
• インプレッションimpression
• 感かんfeeling
• インプレimpression (of a new product, etc.)
• 心証しんしょうimpression
• 圧痕あっこんimpression
• 感懐かんかいimpression
• 刷さつprinting
• インパクトimpact (on)
• つきimpression
• 聞こえきこえimpression (that something gives off)
• 感触かんしょくfeeling
• 型かたmold
• 見る目みるめappearance