How to say "think" in Japanese

• 思うおもうJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe default word for 'think' in the sense of holding an opinion or impression: 'I think it's a good idea.' It also covers believing, feeling and reckoning.
  晴はれだと思おもうよ。↗

  I think it will be sunny.
• 考えるかんがえるJLPT N4approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbFor 'think' meaning to reason or deliberate — pondering a question, weighing options, thinking something over before deciding — this is the word, rather than the opinion-stating 思う.
  あなたは家族かぞくの事ことを考かんがえるべきです。↗

  You must think of your family.
• がるJLPT N1approx.Common
  suffix, godan verbSeldom the word you want for 'think': it really describes a person showing outward signs of a feeling or condition, so its 'think' sense is marginal.
  私が早はやく去さるので彼かれらは残念ざんねんがった。↗

  My leaving early made them feel sorry.
• 存じるぞんじるJLPT N2approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbThe humble counterpart of 思う: use it to state your own opinion or belief when speaking politely to a superior or customer, as in business settings.
  ご援助えんじょできないのが残念ざんねんに存ぞんじます。↗

  I regret that I can't help you.

Use 「思う」 for opinions and impressions, 「考える」 for deliberate reasoning or pondering, 「存じる」 as the humble version of 「思う」 for polite speech, and treat 「がる」 as seldom meaning 'think' at all.

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

• 思うおもうto think
• 考えるかんがえるto think (about, of)
• がるto show signs of being
• シンクthink
• 思し召すおぼしめすto think (only used to speak of others)
• 頭を働かせるあたまをはたらかせるto think
• 存じるぞんじるto think
• 存ずるぞんずるto think
• 存じ上げるぞんじあげるto think
• ような(I) think (that)
• 覚えるおぼえるto think