(そうぞう)

そうぞう
noun
imagination
See also: 想像(そうぞう)する (verb form), 創造(そうぞう) (creation (homophone))
1. imagination, fancy
The ability to form mental images or concepts of things not present or not real.
想像(そうぞう)できます
Can you imagine it?
想像(そうぞう)していたより(おお)きかった
It was bigger than I imagined.
想像(そうぞう)(りょく)(ゆた)
They have a rich imagination.

Functions as a noun and with する as a verb (想像(そうぞう)する = to imagine).

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 想像(そうぞう)する (to imagine)
  • 想像(そうぞう)できる (can imagine)
  • 想像(そうぞう)できない (can't imagine)
  • 想像(そうぞう)していた (was imagining/expected)
  • 想像(そうぞう)(りょく) (imagination power)
  • 想像(そうぞう)どおり (as imagined)

Note: Don't confuse with 創造(そうぞう) (creation) which has the same reading.