思(おも)いを馳(は)せる

おもいをはせる
expression
to think longingly of; to let one's thoughts turn to
formalemotionexpression
1. to think longingly of; to let one's thoughts turn to; to reflect on
To direct one's thoughts toward something distant — a faraway place, a person, the past, or the future. A literary expression suggesting thoughtful, often wistful contemplation.
故郷(ふるさと)に思(おも)いを馳(は)せる。
To think longingly of one's hometown.
遠(とお)く離(はな)れた家族(かぞく)に思(おも)いを馳(は)せた。
I let my thoughts turn to my family far away.
古代(こだい)の人々(ひとびと)の暮(く)らしに思(おも)いを馳(は)せながら、遺跡(いせき)を歩(ある)いた。
I walked through the ruins, reflecting on the lives of ancient people.

A literary expression meaning to let one's thoughts reach out to something distant. 馳(は)せる literally means "to gallop" or "to run," so the image is of one's thoughts racing off to a distant place or time.

Common patterns

  • ～に思(おも)いを馳(は)せる: to think longingly of ~
  • 過去(かこ)に思(おも)いを馳(は)せる: to reflect on the past
  • 未来(みらい)に思(おも)いを馳(は)せる: to think about the future

Register

A somewhat literary and elevated expression. In everyday conversation, 思(おも)い出(だ)す (to remember) or ～のことを考(かんが)える (to think about) would be more natural. 思(おも)いを馳(は)せる adds a contemplative, poetic quality.

Similar words

  • 懐(なつ)かしむ: to feel nostalgic about — focuses on the warm feeling of nostalgia
  • 偲(しの)ぶ: to remember fondly, to reminisce — often used about deceased people or lost things

Related Words

Compare: 懐(なつ)かしむ (to feel nostalgic about)
Compare: 偲(しの)ぶ (to remember fondly, to reminisce)
general
Added 2026.3.29 1:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
20000/20198_omoiwohaseru