“かんがえる” and “おもう,” what’s the difference?

はじめに

The Japanese verbs “考える” (kangaeru) and “思う” (omou) are commonly used but have slightly different nuances when translated into English.

考（かんが）える

“考える” directly corresponds to “think.” It refers to the process of engaging in deep understanding, conscious thought, or considering something carefully. For example, if you say “I need to think about this issue carefully,” it would translate to “この問題についてよく考える必要がある” in Japanese.

思（おも）う

“思う,” on the other hand, aligns more with “believe” or “feel.” It’s used to express personal feelings, beliefs, or opinions, often without certainty. When you want to say “I believe that person is good” or “I feel that person is good,” in Japanese, you might say “あの人は良い人だと思う.”

おわりに

In essence, “考える” (think) is more about analytical or logical thought processes, while “思う” (believe/feel) is about emotions, intuition, or personal opinions and beliefs.