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 just curious about the language, understanding what this word represents can open doors to a better understanding of the Japanese mentality. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, everyday use, and even how it appears in expressions and philosophies of Japan. If you are looking for a reliable dictionary to deepen your studies, the I love Japanese. it's 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)

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.

Example Sentences - (心) kokoro

See below some example sentences:

私の心情は複雑です。

Watashi no shijou wa fukuzatsu desu

My feelings are complicated.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 心情 - noun that means "feelings" or "emotions"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 複雑 - adjective meaning "complex" or "complicated"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form

私たちは心を繋げることができます。

Watashitachi wa kokoro wo tsunageru koto ga dekimasu

We can connect our hearts.

We can connect our hearts.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 心を - "Coração" in Japanese, followed by the particle "wo" that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 繋げる - "To connect" in Japanese, in the infinitive.
• ことが - Particle "koto ga" indicating action or event
• できます - "Can be done" or "is possible" in Japanese, in the present affirmative.

空ろな心に何かが欠けている。

Karōna kokoro ni nanika ga kakete iru

Something is missing in the empty heart.

• 空ろな - empty, hollow
• 心 - heart, mind
• に - particle indicating action or state in which something is
• 何か - algo
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 欠けている - missing, incomplete

経験を心得ることが大切です。

Keiken wo kokorogeru koto ga taisetsu desu

It is important to have experience.

It is important to know your experience.

• 経験 - Experiência
• を - object particle
• 心得る - To know, to understand
• こと - Abstract noun
• が - Subject particle
• 大切 - important, valuable
• です - verb "to be"

経済の低下が心配です。

Keizai no teika ga shinpai desu

Estou preocupado com a queda da economia.

Estou preocupado com o declínio na economia.

• 経済 - economy
• の - Possessive particle
• 低下 - declínio, queda
• が - subject particle
• 心配 - preocupação
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

綿は柔らかくて心地よい素材です。

Wata wa yawarakakute kokochi yoi sozai desu

Cotton is a soft and comfortable material.

• 綿 (wata) - algodão
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 柔らかくて (yawarakakute) - soft and
• 心地よい (kokochi yoi) - pleasant to the touch
• 素材 (sozai) - material
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar

臍は人体の中心に位置する。

Sai wa jintai no chūshin ni ichi suru

The navel is located in the center of the human body.

• 臍 (navel) - indicates the part of the human body that is the central point of the abdomen.
• 人体 (corpo humano) - refers to the set of organs, tissues, and systems that make up the human body
• 中心 (centro) - indicates the point or place that is in the middle or at the center of something.
• 位置する (estar localizado) - indicates the position or location of something

良心を持って行動することが大切です。

Ryoushin wo motte koudou suru koto ga taisetsu desu

É importante agir com consciência.

• 良心 - significa "consciência" ou "senso de justiça".
• を - object particle.
• 持って - forma do verbo 持つ (motsu), que significa "ter" ou "possuir", no gerúndio.
• 行動 - means "action" or "behavior".
• する - forma do verbo する (suru), que significa "fazer" ou "realizar".
• こと - substantivo abstrato que indica "coisa" ou "fato".
• が - Subject particle.
• 大切 - It means "important" or "valuable".
• です - forma educada do verbo だ (da), que indica "ser" ou "estar".

苦心しても報われないこともある。

Kushin shite mo mukuwarenai koto mo aru

Sometimes

Sometimes you may not be rewarded, even if you fight.

• 苦心しても - make a lot of effort, even if
• 報われない - not be rewarded
• こともある - it can happen

議事堂は政治の中心地です。

Gijidou wa seiji no chuushinchi desu

The Parliament hall is the center of politics.

• 議事堂 - means "legislative chamber" or "seat of government".
• は - topic marker particle, indicating that what follows is the subject of the sentence.
• 政治 - means "politics".
• の - possessive particle, indicating that what follows is the possessed object.
• 中心地 - means "center" or "nucleus".
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and formal form.