Translation and Meaning of: 心 - kokoro
The Japanese word 心[こころ] is one of those that carries a deep and culturally rich meaning. If you are learning Japanese or are just curious about the language, understanding what this word represents can open doors to a better understanding of the Japanese mindset. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, everyday usage, and even how it appears in expressions and philosophies of Japan. If you are looking for a reliable dictionary to deepen your studies, Suki Nihongo is a great reference.
The meaning and essence of 心[こころ]
In its most direct translation, 心[こころ] means "heart," but not in the literal sense of the organ. It refers to the heart as a symbol of emotions, mind, and spirit. The Japanese use this word to talk about feelings, intentions, and even the essence of a person. For example, when someone says "心が痛む" (kokoro ga itamu), it means that the heart hurts, which means the person is suffering emotionally.
The interesting thing is that 心[こころ] is not limited to individual emotions. It also appears in collective concepts, such as "和の心" (wa no kokoro), which refers to the spirit of harmony highly valued in Japanese culture. This word is so versatile that it can be used in philosophical, religious, and even everyday contexts.
The origin and the kanji for 心[こころ]
The kanji 心 has an ancient history, dating back to Chinese writing. It represents a stylized heart and is used in both Japanese and Chinese with similar meanings. Interestingly, this kanji also appears as a radical in other words related to emotions and thoughts, such as 思う (omou - to think) and 感じる (kanjiru - to feel).
In the Japanese language, 心[こころ] is one of the oldest and most fundamental words. It appears in classical texts such as the "Manyoshu," an anthology of Japanese poetry from the 8th century. This shows how the concept of "kokoro" has always been central to Japanese culture, influencing everything from literature to philosophy.
Everyday use and expressions with 心[こころ]
In daily life, Japanese people use 心[こころ] in various expressions. One of the most common is "心配" (shinpai), which means "worry." Another example is "心地よい" (kokochi yoi), which describes a pleasant or comfortable sensation. These combinations show how the word is ingrained in everyday vocabulary.
Moreover, 心[こころ] appears in proverbs and popular sayings. One example is "初心忘るべからず" (shoshin wasuru bekarazu), which means "never forget your initial heart," or in other words, stay true to your principles. These expressions emphasize the cultural significance of this word in Japanese communication.
Vocabulary
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Synonyms and similar words
- こころ (kokoro) - Heart; mind; spirit
- しん (shin) - Spirit; heart (in the sense of feelings); new
- しんぞう (shinzou) - Heart (organ); used in medical contexts
- しんぱい (shinpai) - Worry; anxiety (related to feeling)
- しんせい (shinsei) - Seriousness; sincerity (in relation to the heart and feelings)
- しんりん (shinrin) - Forest; a place that can soothe the heart
- しんそう (shinsou) - Senses; leads to emotions and feelings
- しんぞく (shinzoku) - Attachment; linked to the feeling of belonging (related to the heart)
Related words
Romaji: kokoro
Kana: こころ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4
Translation / Meaning: mind; heart; spirit
Meaning in English: mind;heart;spirit
Definition: The essential part of a person's thoughts and emotions. It refers to emotions, consciousness, etc.
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How to Write in Japanese - (心) kokoro
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (心) kokoro:
Example Sentences - (心) kokoro
See below some example sentences:
Sumunda kūki ga kokoro o ochitsukaseru
The clean air calms the mind
- 澄んだ (Sumunda) - clear, clean
- 空気 (kūki) - I'm sorry, but there seems to be no text provided for translation. Please share the content you'd like translated from Portuguese to English.
- が (ga) - subject particle
- 心 (kokoro) - mind, heart
- を (o) - direct object particle
- 落ち着かせる (ochitsukaseru) - calm down
Suzushii kaze ga kokochi yoi desu
A brisa fresca é agradável.
The cold breeze is comfortable.
- 涼しい - fresco
- 風 - wind
- が - subject particle
- 心地よい - pleasant, comfortable
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
shinshin ichinyo
body and mind are one.
as the same as
- 心 (kokoro) - means "heart" or "mind"
- 身 (mi) - means "body"
- 一如 (ichinyo) - means "unity" or "equality"
Wankyoku na merodii ga kokoro ni hibiku
A soft melody resonates in my heart.
The melody of the euphony resonates in the heart.
- 婉曲な - adjective that means "soft" or "melodious"
- メロディー - noun that means "melody"
- が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 心に - expression that means "in the heart"
- 響く - a verb that means "reverberate" or "echo"
Melodī ga kokoro ni hibiku
The melody resonates in the heart.
The melody resonates in my heart.
- メロディー (merodii) - Melody
- が (ga) - Subject particle
- 心 (kokoro) - Heart, mind, spirit
- に (ni) - Location particle
- 響く (hibiku) - Resonate, echo, reverberate
Saeta kuuki ga kokochi yoi desu
The bright and crisp atmosphere is pleasant.
Clear air is comfortable.
- 冴えた (saeta) - clear, sharp
- 空気 (kuuki) - air, atmosphere
- 心地よい (kokochi yoi) - pleasant, comfortable
- です (desu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense
Ongaku ga watashi no kokoro wo iyashite kureru
Music heals my heart.
Music heals my heart.
- 音楽 - music
- が - subject particle
- 私 - I
- の - Possession particle
- 心 - heart, mind
- を - direct object particle
- 癒してくれる - to heal, to relieve (verb in present tense, polite form)
Chou shou no neiro wa kokoro wo ochitsukaseru
The sound of the temple bell soothes the heart.
The tone of the bell soothes the heart.
- 釣鐘 - fishing bell
- の - Possession particle
- 音色 - timbre, sound
- は - Topic particle
- 心 - heart, mind
- を - direct object particle
- 落ち着かせる - calm, soothe
Suzu no oto ga kokochi yoi desu
The sound of the bell is pleasant.
The doorbell sound is comfortable.
- 鈴の音 - sound of the bell
- が - subject particle
- 心地よい - pleasant, comfortable
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
Kogecha iro no komorebi ga kokochiyoii
The burnt brown sun rays are comfortable.
- 焦げ茶色 - Burnt umber color
- の - Possession particle
- 木漏れ日 - sunlight filtered through the leaves of the trees
- が - subject particle
- 心地よい - pleasant, comfortable
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
