Translation and Meaning of: 心理 - shinri

The Japanese word 心理[しんり] is a fascinating term that carries deep meanings and connections to human behavior. If you are studying Japanese or simply curious about this language, understanding what this word represents can open doors to a richer understanding of Japanese culture. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, everyday use, and even some curiosities that may help with memorization.

心理[しんり] is one of those words that appear in various contexts, from everyday conversations to academic discussions. Its meaning is related to the mind and emotions, but there is much more behind it. Let's dive into the details and discover how the Japanese use it, along with learning some practical ways to incorporate it into your vocabulary.

The meaning and origin of 心理[しんり]

The word 心理[しんり] is composed of two kanji: 心 (shin/kokoro), which means "heart" or "mind," and 理 (ri), which can be translated as "logic" or "principle." Together, they form a term that refers to the internal workings of the human mind, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and psychological processes. In English, the closest translation would be "psychology" or "mental aspects."

The use of this word dates back to the period when Japan began to incorporate Western concepts of psychology, but its structure in kanji has existed for a long time. The combination of 心 and 理 reflects a traditional Japanese view that unites emotion and reason, demonstrating how local culture interprets the human mind in an integrated manner.

How 心理[しんり] is used in everyday life

In everyday life, Japanese people use 心理[しんり] in contexts involving behavioral analysis, feelings, or even marketing strategies. For example, you might hear about 心理テスト (shinri tesuto), which means "psychological test," or 心理戦 (shinri sen), which refers to "psychological warfare." These expressions demonstrate how the term is present in various fields.

Moreover, 心理[しんり] frequently appears in discussions about human relationships and decision-making. Japanese companies, for example, study the 心理 of consumers to understand their preferences. This practical use demonstrates that the word goes beyond the academic field, influencing even the business world.

Tips for memorizing and curiosities about 心理[しんり]

An effective way to memorize 心理[しんり] is to associate its kanji with familiar concepts. Since 心 appears in other words related to emotions, such as 愛情 (aijou, "love"), it becomes easier to create mental connections. On the other hand, 理 is common in terms like 理論 (riron, "theory"), which reinforces the idea of logic and structure.

An interesting fact is that, although 心理[しんり] is a technical term in psychology, it also appears in mangas and animes that explore mental and emotional themes. Series like "Death Note" and "Monster" use concepts of 心理 to develop their characters and plots, showing how this word permeates even Japanese pop culture.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 精神 (Seishin) - Spirit, mind, or psyche; refers to the mental and emotional aspect of the human being.
• 心的 (Shinteki) - Related to the mind or feelings; encompasses emotional and psychological aspects.
• 心理的 (Shinriteki) - Psychological; refers to phenomena of the mind and emotions, especially in the context of psychology.
• 心境 (Shinjō) - Mental or emotional state; refers to the mood or state of mind at a given moment.
• 心情 (Shinjō) - Feelings or emotions; indicates a person's emotional state in a specific situation.
• 心态 (Shintai) - Attitude or mindset; it refers to how a person perceives the situations around them.
• 心理学的 (Shinrigakuteki) - Psychologically; a term used to describe something that relates to psychology as a science.

心理

Romaji: shinri
Kana: しんり
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: Mentality

Meaning in English: mentality

Definition: The study of how the mind works and how it functions.

Example Sentences - (心理) shinri

See below some example sentences:

心理学は興味深いです。

Shinrigaku wa kyoumi fukai desu

Psychology is interesting.

Psychology is interesting.

• 心理学 - Psychology
• は - Topic particle
• 興味深い - interesting
• です - verb to be in the polite form

私の専攻は心理学です。

Watashi no senkou wa shinrigaku desu

My major is psychology.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle indicating possession or a relationship between two things, in this case, "my"
• 専攻 (senkou) - noun meaning "specialization" or "main field of study"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence, in this case, "regarding my field of study"
• 心理学 (shinrigaku) - noun meaning "psychology"
• です (desu) - linking verb indicating existence or identity, in this case "is"

私の専門は心理学です。

Watashi no senmon wa shinrigaku desu

My specialty is psychology.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession, in this case "mine"
• 専門 (senmon) - noun that means "specialty"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "about"
• 心理学 (shinrigaku) - noun meaning "psychology"
• です (desu) - verb that indicates to be, in this case "is"