HSK · Level 12
135 words
Chinese word
脑子
Pronunciation
Pinyinnǎo zi
Meaning
- nounbrain
Example
你得用脑子解决这个问题。nǐ děi yòng nǎo zi jiě jué zhè ge wèn tí
You have to use your brain to solve this problem.
More examples
他一听到这个消息，脑子一热就答应了。tā yì tīng dào zhè ge xiāo xī nǎo zi yí rè jiù dā yìng le
As soon as he heard the news, he acted on impulse and agreed.
Core concept
A mental workshop that produces ideas, practical judgments, and solutions to difficult problems.
Common phrases
开动脑子kāi dòng nǎo zi
use one's brain
脑子一热nǎo zi yí rè
act on impulse
没脑子méi nǎo zi
be brainless
Similar words
头脑tóu nǎo: The mental capacity used for thinking clearly and making sound judgments.
思维sī wéi: The organized mental process of sorting ideas and thinking things through step by step.
大脑dà nǎo: The main part of the brain that controls thought and memory through nerve activity.
Definition in Chinese
指一个人的思考、判断和想出办法的能力，也可指头脑里的一些念头或主意。zhǐ yí gè rén de sī kǎo pàn duàn hé xiǎng chū bàn fǎ de néng lì yě kě zhǐ tou nǎo lǐ de yì xiē niàn tou huò zhǔ yì
Word origin
脑 (nǎo, "brain") + 子 (zi, "noun-forming suffix") first names the organ and then comes to include the thinking ability and ideas linked to it.
Usage tips
- English learners may expect a strict split between the organ and its mental functions, but everyday Chinese uses one familiar noun across that boundary.