How to say "muse" in Japanese

• ミューズCommon
  nounThe noun sense: the Muses of Greek myth and, by extension, one's muse — a source of artistic inspiration. This loanword is the common word for that meaning; the verb sense needs a different word.
• 考えにふけるかんがえにふける
  expression, godan verbThe verb sense: to be absorbed in thought, musing about something while thinking it through. A less common but direct match for 'to muse'; picture someone gazing out the window, lost in reflection.
• 歌神かしん
  nounA deity of waka poetry or song — the 'muse' idea in divine form. For the Greek Muses or one's personal muse, this is seldom the word you want; ミューズ is the common choice there.
• 思いを巡らすおもいをめぐらす
  expression, godan verbAlso a verb-sense match: to contemplate, ponder, or reflect — to think a matter over. It covers 'to muse about' something; a less common word, very close in meaning to 思いを巡らせる.
  彼かれは自分じぶんの将来しょうらいに思おもいをめぐらしていた。↗

  He was meditating on his future life.
• 思いを巡らせるおもいをめぐらせる
  expression, ichidan verbAlso covers the verb sense: to contemplate or ponder, turning something over in one's mind. Like 思いを巡らす, it suits 'to muse' when someone weighs a question thoughtfully; a less common word.

For the noun — the Greek Muses or one's source of inspiration — 「ミューズ」 is the common word (歌神 is a divine patron of waka, rarely what you want); for the verb 'to muse', use 「考えにふける」 or 「思いを巡らす」/「思いを巡らせる」.

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

• ミューズMuse
• 考えにふけるかんがえにふけるto be absorbed in thought
• 歌神かしんgod of waka
• 思いを巡らすおもいをめぐらすto contemplate
• 思いを巡らせるおもいをめぐらせるto contemplate