頭
atama[a̠ta̠ma̠]
The Japanese phrase atama means head.
The word atama refers to the concept of the head. It is often used in common expressions such as 頭がいい to say someone is smart or intelligent, or 頭が悪い to say someone is stupid or unintelligent. You can also use it to express physical sensation, such as in the phrase 頭が痛い which means to have a headache.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 頭 literally means 'head' (the anatomical body part).
Did you know?
- The word atama is linguistically related to kabu, which means 'stump' or 'root'.
Examples in context
- 頭が痛いです。atama ga itai desu.My head hurts.
- その子は頭がいいですね。sono ko wa atama ga ii desu ne.That child is smart, isn't she?
- 頭を少し冷やしてください。atama o sukoshi hiyashite kudasai.Please cool your head down a bit.
Example conversation
Yui notices Hiroto looks unwell at school.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くん、大丈夫？Hiroto-kun, daijoubu?Hiroto, are you okay?
- 大翔 Hirotoちょっと頭が重いんだ。Chotto atama ga omoi n da.My head feels a bit heavy.
- 結衣 Yuiゆっくり休んだほうがいいよ。Yukkuri yasunda hou ga ii yo.You should get some rest.
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう、結衣ちゃん。Arigato, Yui-chan.Thanks, Yui.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 頭, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 頭, CC BY-SA 4.0.
