Words
consider vs imagine — weighing options vs picturing scenes
A side-by-side comparison of meaning, examples, and nuance.
consider
/kənˈsɪdər/
think about, regard as
To think about something carefully, or to regard it as something.
imagine
/ɪˈmædʒɪn/
picture in your mind
To form a picture or idea in your mind.
Core difference
"Consider" means seriously thinking about an option or possibility: "Have you considered taking a year off?" "Imagine" means picturing it in your mind, real or not: "Imagine taking a year off — wouldn't it be fun?" Real choice → consider; mental picture → imagine.
Translations of consider and imagine in 14 languages
| Language | consider | imagine |
|---|---|---|
| 한국어 | 고려하다, ~라고 여기다 | 상상하다 |
| English | think about, regard as | picture in your mind |
| 简体中文 | 考虑，认为 | 想象 |
| 繁體中文 | 考慮，認為 | 想像 |
| 日本語 | 考慮する、~とみなす | 想像する |
| Tiếng Việt | cân nhắc, coi là | tưởng tượng |
| Português | considerar | imaginar |
| Français | considérer, envisager | imaginer |
| Deutsch | in Betracht ziehen, ansehen als | sich vorstellen |
| Español | considerar | imaginar |
| Монгол | бодолцох, гэж үзэх | төсөөлөх |
| Bahasa Indonesia | mempertimbangkan, menganggap | membayangkan |
| Bahasa Melayu | mempertimbangkan, menganggap | membayangkan |
| ไทย | พิจารณา, ถือว่า | จินตนาการ |
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