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

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

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

安心

anshin

relief; mental tranquility

良心

ryoushin

consciousness

用心

youjin

care; precaution; guard; caution

野心

yashin

ambition; aspiration; designs; betrayal

真心

makokoro

sincerity; devotion

熱心

nesshin

zeal; enthusiasm

内心

naishin

innermost thoughts; real intention; most important heart; someone's mind; in the heart

都心

toshin

heart (of the city)

中心

chuushin

center; core; heart; pivot; emphasis; balance

自尊心

jisonshin

self-respect; presumption

心

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:

予備があれば安心だね。

Yobi ga areba anshin da ne

If we have a backup

It's safe if you have a spare.

予備 - It means "reserve" or "backup".
が - It is a particle that indicates a subordinate clause or marks the subject of a sentence.
あれば - It is a conjugation of the verb "aru" which means "to exist". In this case, it is in the conditional "if it exists".
安心 - means "tranquility" or "security".
だ - It is an auxiliary verb that indicates the simple present.
ね - it is a particle that indicates a rhetorical question or asks for the opinion of the interlocutor.

二人の心は結び付く。

Futari no kokoro wa musubi tsuku

The hearts of the two unite.

The two hearts are tied together.

二人 - "Duas pessoas" in Japanese
の - Possessive particle in Japanese
心 - "coração" in Japanese
は - Japanese topic particle
結び付く - "Unite" or "connect" in Japanese

傷ついた心は癒えるまで時間がかかる。

Kizutsuita kokoro wa ieru made jikan ga kakaru

A heart wound takes time to heal.

The wounded heart takes time to heal.

傷ついた - bruised, injured
心 - heart, mind
は - Topic particle
癒える - heal
まで - up until
時間 - time
がかかる - takes time, requires time

和やかな雰囲気が心地よいです。

Nagoyaka na fun'iki ga kokochi yoi desu

The peaceful atmosphere is comfortable.

和やかな - Soft, calm
雰囲気 - atmosphere, environment
が - subject particle
心地よい - pleasant, comfortable
です - Verb to be/estar in the present

平常心を持ちましょう。

Heijoushin wo mochimashou

Let's stay calm and serene.

Let's have a normal heart.

平常心 - It means "calm mind" or "serene state of mind."
を - direct object particle.
持ちましょう - verb "to have" conjugated in the imperative, meaning "let's have."

彼は熱心に彼の理論を説いた。

Kare wa nesshin ni kare no riron o tokuita

He passionately explained his theory.

He eagerly preached his theory.

彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
熱心に - Japanese adverb meaning "with enthusiasm"
彼の - Japanese possessive pronoun meaning "your"
理論を - Japanese noun that means "theory" and the particle "wo" indicates the direct object of the sentence
説いた - Japanese verb meaning "explain" in the past tense