Embarrassing if I've been using it wrong...! Can you explain the difference between "fixed idea" and "fixed concept"?

2021.03.10 published

Please let me ask a question in Japanese＊

"Fixed ideas" and "fixed concepts" are words that commonly appear in writing and conversations, right?

Phrases like "Don't be trapped by fixed ideas!" can often be seen in dramas, movies, books, and manga.

Do you all know the difference between these two words and their meanings?

The reason I asked this question is that I've been seeing posts with long texts on Instagram and stories recently,

(Isn't this a misusage of fixed ideas...?)

(Wait, what is the difference between ideas and concepts in the first place...?)

This made me suddenly feel like I should check.

If I happened to use them incorrectly too, it would be embarrassing, and I feel like the persuasiveness of my writing and conversation would disappear at that point. I might also use it at work... that would not be good...!!

So, I immediately looked up the meanings and example sentences＊

【First】 What is a "fixed idea" (kannen)＊

According to the dictionary, a fixed idea is an idea (thought) that is rigidly formed in the mind and does not change due to other people's opinions or surrounding situations, regulating actions.

≪To put it simply≫

It refers to a "subjective" way of thinking or awareness that a person holds towards a certain matter.

It indicates a firmly held thought of oneself that does not particularly change even when others say something or when surrounding situations change, meaning it is not easily alterable＊.

Therefore, each person has different fixed ideas, and the strength or weakness of those fixed ideas varies as well.

How is it used?

For example,

① There are still many people who hold the fixed idea that men work outside while women support the home.

② The fixed idea that Type A is meticulous and Type B tends to be eccentric should be discarded.

③ Let's try new challenges flexibly without being trapped by the fixed idea that it has always been this way!

④ Mr. ○○ has strong fixed ideas, so he doesn’t really listen to others’ opinions.

⑤ Trapped by the fixed idea that you won't gain weight as long as you only eat vegetables or that you can lose weight by throwing up what you eat.

And so on.

Many fixed ideas are unconsciously instilled through one's own experiences and events, and they are often associated with negative emotions.

The fact that fixed ideas are frequently linked with verbs like "eliminate, discard, overturn, and don’t get trapped" is proof of this.

There are also various other concepts＊

In addition to fixed ideas, there are many other ○○ ideas＊.

☑ Economic awareness (the idea of knowing the value of things and money well, and trying to use them effectively).

☑ Chastity concept (the idea of maintaining purity in relationships with the opposite sex).

☑ Hygiene concept (the idea concerning cleanliness, living environments, and maintaining health).

And so on.

Example 1: That person has a solid economic awareness, so I feel secure about marriage.

Example 2: I’m worried because that person has a loose chastity concept and might cheat...

Are used like this, right?

【Next】 What is a "fixed concept" (gainen)＊

Now, let's talk about fixed concepts＊.

It turns out that "fixed concept" is actually a misused term that does not appear in the dictionary.

Many people might be surprised by this fact...?

The term "fixed concept" was created by mixing similar words like "fixed idea" and "established concept," and it is incorrect Japanese.

As evidence, "fixed concept" does not even appear in the Kojien dictionary...!

Of course, the two-character word "concept" does exist.

A concept refers to the common, objective thoughts regarding things＊.

A common understanding of "this is what ○○ is!" is a concept.

Since concepts refer to facts that are originally determined, there is no need to add "fixed" to them; thus, the term "fixed concept" is fundamentally a contradictory misuse!

What about the similar word "established concept"?

The word "established concept," which is often confused with "fixed concept," refers to ideas that are widely recognized and already in circulation in society＊.

This is a correct term and is found in dictionaries.

・The sea is blue.

・Skirts are things that women wear.

These are ideas generally accepted in society, equivalent to stereotypes in English.

Summary＊

This discussion began with the question of what the difference is between fixed ideas and fixed concepts,

but it turns out that the term "fixed concept" is actually an incorrect term that does not even exist in dictionaries.

(Although many people use it casually, let's try to avoid using it from now on!)

And,

"Fixed ideas" are subjective thoughts,

while "established concepts" are ideas recognized objectively in society.

I have firmly remembered these meanings.

From now on, I want to use them correctly when writing or conversing＊.

➡ Is it "sumimasen" or "sui masen" that is correct?

➡ What is the difference between "sanrei" and "retsuseki"?