Japanese symbol for “rethink”

考え直す

かんがえなおす

Romaji: kangaenaosu

to reconsider; to rethink; to reassess

In Japanese, rethink is 考え直す, read かんがえなおす (kangaenaosu).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

v5s, vt to reconsider; to rethink; to reassess

Written forms: 考え直す、考えなおす. Readings: かんがえなおす.

Kanji and stroke order

考

consider, think over

on: コウ
kun: かんが.える、かんが.え

6 strokes · JLPT 3

直

straightaway, honesty, frankness

on: チョク、ジキ、ジカ
kun: ただ.ちに、なお.す、-なお.す、なお.る

8 strokes · JLPT 2

Other Japanese words for “rethink”

Word	Reading	Meaning
自己反省	じこはんせい jikohansei	to self-question; to rethink; to reflect on oneself

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
考え	かんがえ kangae	thinking; thought; view
参考	さんこう sankou	reference; consultation
考える	かんがえる kangaeru	to think (about, of); to think over; to ponder
思考	しこう shikou	thought; consideration; thinking
考慮	こうりょ kouryo	consideration; taking into account
考え方	かんがえかた kangaekata	way of thinking; point of view; opinion
直接	ちょくせつ chokusetsu	direct; immediate; personal
正直	しょうじき shoujiki	honest; frank; candid

See also: Chinese symbol for “rethink”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.