Japanese word

頭

Pronunciation

Romajiatama

Meaning

  • nounhead

Example

頭に帽子をかぶります。atama ni bō shi o ka bu ri ma su

I wear a hat on my head.

Illustration for 頭 (head)

More examples

頭に水をかけます。atama ni mizu o ka ke ma su

I pour water on my head.

転んだときに、頭を守ります。koro n da to ki ni atama o mamo ri ma su

I protect my head when I fall.

Core concept

It refers to the body part above the neck that contains the face and brain and is associated with thinking.

Common phrases

  • 頭が痛いatama ga ita i

    have a headache

  • 頭を使うatama o tsuka u

    use one's head

  • 頭の中atama no naka

    inside one's head

Similar words

頭部tōbu: The anatomical part above the neck that contains the face and brain.
おつむotsumu: An informal or childlike word for the body part above the neck.

Definition in Japanese

首から上にある、顔や脳を含む体の部分。kubi ka ra ue ni a ru kao ya nō o fuku mu karada no bu bun

Word origin

The word 頭 (atama, "head") belongs to native Japanese vocabulary, but its older origin is uncertain; the character 頭 (tō, "head") was borrowed from Chinese writing.

Usage tips

  • The expression 頭が固い (atama ga katai) literally means "the head is hard" but commonly describes someone who is inflexible.

Word lists with this word