1.
to reconsider, to think again
To think about something again and possibly change one's mind or perspective on it.
よく思い返してみた。
I thought it over carefully.
冷静に思い返せば、彼の言うことも分かる。
Thinking it over calmly, I can understand what he's saying.
2.
to recall, to look back on, to reflect on
To bring past events or memories to mind and think about them again.
今思い返しても恥ずかしい。
Even now when I recall it, I feel embarrassed.
学生時代を思い返す。
To look back on one's student days.
あの日のことを思い返すと涙が出る。
When I recall that day, tears come to my eyes.
過去を思い返して反省する。
To reflect on the past and learn from one's mistakes.
思い返す combines 思う (to think) with 返す (to return), conveying the sense of returning to past thoughts or reconsidering.
Usage patterns:
- 〜を思い返す (to recall/reconsider something)
- 今思い返しても (even now when I think back)
- よく思い返してみる (to think it over carefully)
Transitivity: 他動詞 (transitive)
Conjugation: 五段 (godan/u-verb)
Related words:
- 思い出す: to remember, recall (more spontaneous)
- 振り返る: to look back on, reflect
- 考え直す: to reconsider, think again