What's the difference between 意向　ｖｓ　意思?


I encountered this sample sentence:

> 佐藤さんは市長選挙に立候補する意向を固めたようだ。

The app I was using simply translated 意向 as "intention" which led me to ask:
**how does it differ from 意思? And how do the component kanjis lead to this
difference?** My first instinct was to recall other words that use the other
kanjis. Words like 向こう、方向 and 思う、思想, but as I expected, using this strategy
has a limit. (Btw, I'm thinking that 意向 is an intention that is externally
manifested and that emphasizes a sense of direction, while 意思 is something
internal and does not necessarily imply a set course of action.)

(Of course, I can look it up using a thesaurus, but I don't think it will
strengthen my ability to intuitively grasp the fine shades of meaning, and
will cause me to be too dependent on it.)




I agree to what you thought from 漢字. Plus, 意向 is usually other people's
intention, not mine. But anyway I think learning collocations is more
practical way to master. ご意向を伺う 意向に従う 意思決定 意思表示 意思無能力 etc

