イメージ

いめーじ
noun
image, impression
cognitionevaluation
1. image, impression
A mental picture or general impression one has of something or someone.
どんなイメージですか。
What sort of image do you have in mind?
They were just as I had imagined.
イメージ通(どお)り = just as imagined
My impression of Japan changed.
When I hear this song, images of summer come to mind.
イメージが湧(わ)く = to be able to picture something
Even after reading the explanation, I couldn't quite picture what it would look like when finished.
2. image, reputation
The way a person, company, or product is perceived by others.
It's a product with a good image.
That actor has a very good public image.
We ran an advertising campaign to improve the company's image.
イメージアップ = improving one's image
The brand's image took a big hit because of the scandal.
I'm thinking of changing my hairstyle for a new look.
イメージチェンジ = image change, makeover

Usage

Broader than English "image": it covers what one pictures in one's mind (イメージする, to picture or imagine), a general impression, and public reputation. A photograph or a picture file is 写真(しゃしん) or 画像(がぞう), not イメージ.

Common patterns