想起|そうきsouki[1]atamadaka (head-high)

Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbremembering; recollection; calling to mind
  2. noun, philosophyanamnesis
  3. noun, suru verb, transitive verb, psychologyrecall (memory); retrieval
Conjugation
Dictionary form想起する(そうきする)
Polite (masu)想起します(そうきします)
Negative (nai)想起しない(そうきしない)
polite (masen)想起しません(そうきしません)
classical zu / nu想起せず・想起せぬ(そうきせず・そうきせぬ)
Past (ta)想起した(そうきした)
polite (mashita)想起しました(そうきしました)
Past negative (nakatta)想起しなかった(そうきしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)想起しませんでした(そうきしませんでした)
Te form想起して(そうきして)
Potential想起できる(そうきできる)
Passive想起される(そうきされる)
Causative想起させる(そうきさせる)
Causative passive想起させられる(そうきさせられる)
Conditional (ba)想起すれば(そうきすれば)
tara想起したら(そうきしたら)
Volitional想起しよう(そうきしよう)
polite (mashou)想起しましょう(そうきしましょう)
Imperative想起しろ(そうきしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym思い浮かべるおもいうかべるNeutralA verb for picturing something in your mind, also used for imagining; it stresses visualization, while 「想起」 stresses bringing past events back to mind.
  • Synonym回想かいそうNeutralRecalling one's own past experiences, as in 「回想シーン」; it centers on looking back over what you lived through.
  • Synonym思い返すおもいかえすNeutralA verb meaning to think back on the past, but also to reconsider or change one's mind; it suggests mulling things over.
  • Synonym回顧かいこWrittenWritten/formal prose for looking back at the past, as in 「回顧録」 (memoirs); it suggests taking stock of what has happened.
  • Synonym追憶ついおくWrittenWritten/formal prose for recollecting the past with a sentimental, nostalgic tinge; it stresses fond remembrance.
  • Synonym思い出すおもいだすNeutralThe everyday verb for remembering or recalling; 「想起」 is the Sino-Japanese term of written or psychological flavor.
  • SynonymしのぶWrittenA written/formal-prose verb for cherishing the memory of the departed or of old times, with a solemn tone; more than just recalling.
  • Synonym思い起こすおもいおこすNeutralA verb for deliberately calling something to mind; slightly written in tone and close in meaning to 「想起」.
  • Related思い当たるおもいあたるNeutralA verb for suddenly hitting on an answer or cause in light of your experience; it is about realizing why, not simply remembering.
  • Related追懐ついかいWrittenWritten/formal prose for fondly recalling departed people and bygone days; it stresses the feeling of cherishing memories.
  • Related回視かいしWrittenWritten/formal prose meaning to look back on the past, and sometimes to look around; rare in use.
  • Antonym忘却ぼうきゃくWrittenAntonym in written/formal prose: to forget completely; the opposite of 「想起」, which brings things back to mind.
  • Antonym失念しつねんFormalFormal antonym for a momentary lapse of memory, used in polite contexts such as 「失念しておりました」.

Use 「想起」 for recalling the past in written or psychological contexts, as in 「記憶を想起する」. In everyday speech say 「思い出す」. For looking back over your experiences use 「回想」 or 「回顧」; for fondly remembering people and days gone by, 「偲ぶ」. The opposites are 「忘却」 and 「失念」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 想い起おもいおこすこと。以前いぜんにあった事ことを思い出おもいだすこと。
  2. 想い起おもいおこす。
Kanji in this word
See also

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