1.
thought, feeling, emotion
One's inner thoughts, feelings, or emotions about something or someone.
思いを言葉にする。
To put one's feelings into words.
故郷への思いが強い。
I have strong feelings for my hometown.
両親への感謝の思いを伝えた。
I expressed my feelings of gratitude to my parents.
2.
love, affection
Romantic feelings or love for someone.
彼への思いを告白した。
I confessed my love for him.
片思いの相手に告白した。
I confessed to the person I had a one-sided crush on.
思いが届いた。
My feelings reached them.
思い is the noun form of 思う (to think, to feel). It refers to deep inner feelings, thoughts, or emotions — often with a sense of longing, attachment, or affection.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 思いを込める: to put one's heart/feelings into
- 思いが届く: one's feelings reach (someone)
- 思いを伝える: to convey one's feelings
- 思いを言葉にする: to put feelings into words
- 思いが強い: to have strong feelings
COMMON COMPOUNDS:
- 片思い: one-sided love, unrequited love
- 思い出: memory, recollection
- 思い入れ: emotional attachment, sentimental feelings
- 思い込み: assumption, preconception
KANJI NOTE:
Sometimes written as 想い, which emphasizes imagination or idealized feelings. 思い is more general.