Thought and intention with 意
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
得意 (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.
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 )
“And Mina's good at cooking and such, right?”
Challenge Yourself
Show translation
Challenge
Which strengths does Yukari assign to Takagi and Mina?
Clues
高木( たかぎ ) ちゃんは成績( せいせき ) よくてTakagi got good grades
しっかりしてた
was dependable or had it together
ミナは料理( りょうり ) が得意( とくい )
Mina is good at cooking
What does the speaker mean?
Takagi had good grades and was dependable; Mina is good at cooking.
Yukari links 成績( せいせき ) よくて and しっかりしてた to Takagi, then gives 料理( りょうり ) が得意( とくい ) as Mina's strength.
Takagi was good at cooking; Mina had good grades.
This swaps the qualities assigned to the two women.
Both Takagi and Mina were known mainly for good grades.
Only Takagi is described with 成績( せいせき ) . Mina's example is cooking.
Both women were good cooks but unreliable students.
Yukari calls Takagi dependable and gives cooking as Mina's skill.
Takagi struggled in school while Mina helped her study.
成績( せいせき ) よくて is positive, and no help with studying is mentioned.
Yukari says neither woman had a useful strength.
The lines list positive qualities as Yukari compares herself with them.
Yukari remembers Takagi as academically strong and dependable. She then points to cooking as one of Mina’s strengths.
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Awareness
意識 (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 .
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 notices Cocoa looking at her.
シャロ:
「なんか意識( いしき )
“I think I'm being noticed!”
Challenge Yourself
Show translation
Challenge
What does シャロ mean in the highlighted line?
Clues
意識( いしき ) されてる(意識:いしき)されてる means being noticed or kept in mind
What does the speaker mean?
I think I'm being noticed!
The literal "being consciously regarded" becomes "being noticed" because Syaro senses that the unknown girl is paying special attention to her.
Syaro says she is paying special attention to Cocoa.
The highlighted form is 意識( いしき ) されてる. Here 意識( いしき ) されてる means being noticed or kept in mind, so this choice does not match the Japanese.
Syaro says she wants the stranger to notice her.
The highlighted form is 意識( いしき ) されてる. Here 意識( いしき ) されてる means being noticed or kept in mind, so this choice does not match the Japanese.
Syaro is certain that the stranger is ignoring her.
The highlighted form is 意識( いしき ) されてる. Here 意識( いしき ) されてる means being noticed or kept in mind, so this choice does not match the Japanese.
意識( いしき ) されてる means being noticed or kept in mind. The literal “being consciously regarded” becomes “being noticed” because Syaro senses that the unknown girl is paying special attention to her.
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Ideas
意味 (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.
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 )
“That's not what I meant.”
Challenge Yourself
Show translation
Challenge
What does ココア mean in the highlighted line?
Clues
燃( も ) やしたかった(燃:も)やしたかった = "wanted to burn"
What does the speaker mean?
Did you really want to burn the fliers that badly?
燃( も ) やしたかった is the past form of 燃( も ) やしたい: "wanted to burn".
Cocoa understands that Syaro wants to finish distributing the fliers.
The highlighted form is 燃( も ) やしたかった. Here 燃( も ) やしたかった = "wanted to burn", so this choice does not match the Japanese.
Cocoa offers matches because Syaro wants to light the street.
The highlighted form is 燃( も ) やしたかった. Here 燃( も ) やしたかった = "wanted to burn", so this choice does not match the Japanese.
Cocoa's interpretation is correct, and Syaro agrees that she wants to burn them.
The highlighted form is 燃( も ) やしたかった. Here 燃( も ) やしたかった = "wanted to burn", so this choice does not match the Japanese.
燃( も ) やしたかった = “wanted to burn”. 燃( も ) やしたかった is the past form of 燃( も ) やしたい: “wanted to burn”.
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Preparation
用意 (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 .
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 )
“Hey, are you preparing any little gifts to hand out to your neighbors when you go around saying hello?”
Challenge Yourself
Show translation
Challenge
What change does Yousuke notice after moving boxes?
Clues
体力( たいりょく ) 低下( ていか ) してんなあhe feels that his stamina is declining
手( て ) がふるふるhis trembling hands show the physical fatigue
What does the speaker mean?
His stamina has dropped and his hands are trembling.
体力( たいりょく ) 低下( ていか ) names the decline, and 手( て ) がふるふる gives the physical sign he notices.
His hands have become stronger from carrying boxes.
The trembling supports a loss of stamina, not an increase in strength.
His body temperature has fallen.
低下( ていか ) modifies 体力( たいりょく ) , stamina, rather than temperature.
He has recovered enough to keep working without rest.
Yousuke stops for a break and comments on declining stamina. He is not announcing a recovery.
His neighbor is tired from preparing gifts.
Yousuke speaks about 俺( おれ ) , himself, before Jumbo changes the subject to neighbor gifts.
His hands are shaking because the room is cold.
The line links the trembling to physical exertion and reduced stamina, not cold weather.
Yousuke realizes that moving boxes has worn him out more than expected. He calls it a drop in stamina and points to his trembling hands as evidence.
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