Japanese word

頭脳

Pronunciation

Romajizunō

Meaning

  • nounbrain

Example

彼は頭脳が明晰です。kare wa zu nō ga mei seki de su

He has a clear mind.

Illustration for 頭脳 (brain)

More examples

読書は頭脳を鍛えるよい方法です。doku sho wa zu nō o kita e ru yo i hō hō de su

Reading is a good way to train the brain.

Core concept

Refers to the organ in the head that enables thinking, judgment, and other mental activity.

Common phrases

  • 頭脳を使うzu nō o tsuka u

    use one's brain

  • 頭脳を働かせるzu nō o hatara ka se ru

    use one's brain

Similar words

脳nō: The organ inside the head that controls thought, movement, and other body functions.
脳みそnōmiso: A casual term for the brain, often referring to its mental abilities.

Definition in Japanese

思考や判断などの働きをつかさどる、頭の中の器官。shi kō ya han dan na do no hatara ki o tsu ka sa do ru atama no naka no ki kan

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound combines 頭 (zu, "head") and 脳 (nō, "brain"), forming a word for the brain.

Usage tips

  • The word appears in 頭脳戦 (zunōsen), a term for a contest decided by clever thinking rather than physical strength.

Related words

  • 頭脳派zunōhabrainy personnoun

Word lists with this word