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thought
A versatile term that bridges the gap between a fleeting mental spark (an idea) and a sustained cognitive process (reasoning). It covers everything from a momentary realization to deep, meditative contemplation. As a noun, it carries a gentle, internal quality. When used as 'a thought', it is often an isolated unit of consciousness; when used as 'in thought', it describes a state of mental immersion. In its verbal form (past tense), it functions both as a record of cognitive effort and as a statement of past belief or opinion. It is neutral in tone, suitable for both casual conversation and formal academic writing.
Countable when referring to a single, distinct idea popping into your head ('a sudden thought'). Uncountable when describing the general state of contemplation or the mental process ('lost in thought').
意味
An idea or opinion produced by thinking, or an act of thinking.
"The sudden thought occurred to her that she had left the oven on."
The process of considering or reasoning about something.
"He was lost in thought and didn't hear the doorbell ring."