概 念(がいねん)

がいねん

noun

concept; notion; idea

1. concept; notion; idea

An abstract idea or general understanding of something.

基本的(きほんてき)な概念(がいねん)を理解(りかい)する。

Understand the basic concept.

「自由(じゆう)」という概念(がいねん)について考(かんが)える。

Think about the concept of 'freedom.'

この概念(がいねん)は日本語(にほんご)にはない。

This concept doesn't exist in Japanese.

概念(がいねん) is a compound: 概(がい) (outline/general) + 念(ねん) (idea).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

概念(がいねん)を理解(りかい)する (to understand a concept)
概念(がいねん)を持(も)つ (to have a concept/notion)
概念的(がいねんてき)（な） (conceptual)
抽象(ちゅうしょう)概念(がいねん) (abstract concept)
固定(こてい)概念(がいねん) (fixed idea, preconception)

RELATED VOCABULARY:

考(かんが)え (thought, idea - more casual)
観念(かんねん) (notion, sense)
理念(りねん) (ideology, principle)

Academic/technical contexts often use 概念(がいねん) when discussing abstract or theoretical ideas.

general

Added 2026.1.16 8:13 · Revised 2026.6.2 6:08

04500/04709_gainen