French Conversation · Level 31
89 words
French word
cerveau
Pronunciation
IPA/sɛʁvo/
Meaning
- masculine nounbrain
Example
Mon cerveau a besoin de repos.
My brain needs rest.
More examples
Il est clair qu'il a du cerveau quand il explique ça.
It is clear that he has brains when he explains that.
Core concept
A living control center inside the head that turns sensory input into memories, reasoning, and action.
Common phrases
avoir du cerveau
have brains
se faire laver le cerveau
be brainwashed
Similar words
tête: The outer part of the head, including the face and hair.
esprit: The mental activity involved in thinking and feeling.
intelligence: The ability to understand information, learn, and solve problems.
Definition in French
Organe principal du système nerveux, considéré comme le siège des fonctions intellectuelles — pensée, raisonnement, mémoire — et comme centre du contrôle sensoriel et moteur.
Word origin
The French noun cerveau developed from Latin cerebrum through medieval French forms including cervel and cerveu.
Usage tips
- In casual French, tête often refers to the head or mind, while cerveau can sound more anatomical or formal.