How to say "thinking" in Japanese

• 考えかんがえJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounCovers 'thinking' as the content of thought: a person's view, opinion, or idea. Use it when discussing your own or someone else's thinking on a matter, or how they see things.
  あなたの考かんがえを言いってください。↗

  Please tell me what you think.
• 思考しこうJLPT N1approx.Common
  suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verb, no-adjectiveThinking as a process or mental activity rather than the conclusions it produces — the mind at work. Typical in abstract or analytical contexts, such as discussing how a person thinks.
  彼女かのじょの思考法しこうほうは合理的ごうりてきだった。↗

  Her way of thinking was rational.
• 思索しさくCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbDeep, contemplative thinking: pondering a question at length, close to meditation or speculation. Suits philosophical or serious intellectual reflection rather than quick, practical everyday thinking.
  彼かれらはその体系たいけいを大変たいへんな思索しさくと労力ろうりょくを費ついやして仕上しあげた。↗

  They worked out the system with much thought and labor.
• 観測かんそくJLPT N2approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbIts basic meaning is observation — watching and measuring something; when it does convey 'thinking', it amounts to a prediction or opinion, so it is seldom the word you want for 'thinking'.

Use 「考え」 for thinking as a view or opinion, 思考 for the mental process of thinking, 思索 for deep contemplative pondering, and 観測 only in its narrow sense of a prediction or opinion.

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

• 考えかんがえthinking
• 思考しこうthought
• 思索しさくspeculation
• シンキングthinking
• 思惟しいthought
• 頭の回転あたまのかいてんthoughts
• 存意ぞんいthought
• 観測かんそくopinion