Japanese with Manga

Thought and intention with

意 means thought, intention, or meaning. It often points to the thought or purpose behind someone’s words and actions.

Etymology

意 combines 心 (heart) with 音 (sound).

Ability

(Specialty)

得意(とくい) describes something you are good at. It can also mean feeling proud or pleased with yourself.

It combines 得 (gain) with 意 (mind) to show a state in which one feels confident through what one has mastered.

Manga panel from からかい上手の（元）高木さん showing example of Getting good grades in school with 成績.
からかい上手の（元）高木さん » Volume 13 » Page 44

Yukari stops by the preschool where Mina works, just as Takagi is there picking up her daughter. Yukari compares her life with theirs.

ユカリ:
「高木(たかぎ)ちゃんは成績(せいせき)よくて　しっかりしてたし、」
“Takagi-chan got good grades and had it together.”
「ミナは料理(りょうり)が得意(とくい)だったりするじゃない。」
“And Mina's good at cooking and such, right?”
View Full Example

Awareness

(Consciousness)

意識(いしき) can mean consciousness, awareness, or the act of keeping something in mind.

It combines 意 (mind) with 識 (awareness) to show mental awareness.

Manga panel from ご注文はうさぎですか？ showing example of Receiving awareness with 〜れる.
ご注文はうさぎですか？ » Volume 1 » Page 52

After an accidental first meeting between Cocoa and Syaro, Chino recalls having seen a similar situation in a comic. Rize points out this is where romance often develops. Apart from that conversation, Syaro gets the feeling that this girl she doesn’t know is being somewhat conscious of her.

チャロ:
「なんか意識(いしき)されてる！」
“I think I'm being noticed!”
View Full Example

Ideas

(Meaning)

意味(いみ) is the meaning or point of a word, statement, action, or event.

It combines 意 (idea) with 味 (taste) to show the flavor of an idea, that is, its meaning.

Manga panel from ご注文はうさぎですか？ showing example of Wanting to burn fliers with 〜たい.
ご注文はうさぎですか？ » Volume 1 » Page 8

Seeing Syaro handing out advertisement fliers. When Syaro says she can’t go home until she’s done with them, Cocoa likens her to the fabled little match girl.

ココア:
「そんなにチラシ燃(も)やしたかった？」
“Did you really want to burn the fliers that badly?”
「マッチならあるよ」
“I've got some matches.”
シャロ:
「そういう意味(いみ)じゃない」
“That's not what I meant.”
View Full Example

Preparation

(Preparation)

用意(ようい) means getting what you need ready or making arrangements in advance.

It combines 用 (practical need) with 意 (mind) to show thinking ahead for use.

Manga panel from よつばと！ showing example of Declining stamina with 低下.
よつばと！ » Volume 1 » Page 13

Jumbo helps his friend Yousuke move into his new house. After unboxing things, Yousuke stops for a break.

葉介(ようすけ):
「なんか俺(おれ)　体力(たいりょく)低下(ていか)してんなあ…　手(て)がふるふる…」
“Man, I feel like my stamina is dropping... My hands are shaking...”
ジャンボ:
「おまえさ　近所(きんじょ)にあいさつで配(くば)る粗品(そしな)とか用意(ようい)してるか？」
“Hey, are you preparing any little gifts to hand out to your neighbors when you go around saying hello?”
View Full Example