心
kokoro[ko̞ko̞ɾo̞]
The English word heart can be translated into Japanese as either 心臓 or 心 (kokoro).
Meaning: an organ (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 心 | kokoro | [ko̞ko̞ɾo̞] (narrow) [ɯ̟ɾa̠] (narrow) |
| 心臓 | shinzō | [ɕĩnd͡zo̞ː] (narrow) |
The term for heart in Japanese depends on whether you are speaking about biology or emotion. Use 心 to express feelings, the soul or the center of one's emotions, much like how 'heart' is used in English poetry or idioms. For a symbolic or stylized meaning, Japanese speakers often use the loanword ハート.
Which one should you use?
Use 心臓 when referring to the physical, biological organ that pumps blood. In contrast, use 心 when referring to the heart in a metaphorical, emotional or spiritual sense.
How do you pronounce it?
kokoro
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 心臓 when you intend to express emotional pain or love. This term refers strictly to the anatomical organ.
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the idea of 'the heart' is often deeply intertwined with the concept of 'the mind'. While English separates 'heart' and 'mind', Japanese often uses 心 to cover both emotional and cognitive faculties.
- The word 心 is a linguistic cousin to the word 裏, which means 'inside' or 'back'. This suggests that, historically, the Japanese perceived the heart as the hidden, interior part of a person.
- Because 心 can mean 'center' or 'middle', it is often used to describe the very core or essence of a thing, rather than just a feeling.
Examples in context
- 心が震える。My heart is trembling.This sentence shows the use of 心 to describe a trembling heart.Tatoeba #188386 by small_snow, translation #25529 by AlanF_US
- 心が痛むな。My heart ached.This sentence illustrates an emotional use of 心 regarding an aching heart.Tatoeba #11273556 by small_snow, translation #10661134 by AlanF_US
- 心が痛みます。My heart hurts.This sentence demonstrates a way to express that the heart hurts using 心.Tatoeba #145605 by small_snow, translation #2474814 by Opiejay888
- 彼女の心は明るくて温かいです。Her heart is bright and warm.
- 心臓の病気に注意してください。Please be cautious of heart diseases.
- 彼はまさに心からの笑顔だった。He had a genuine smile from his heart.
- 113 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Himari are discussing how to stay calm before a big presentation.
- 大翔 Hiroto緊張して、心臓がドキドキしているよ。Kinchō shite, shinzō ga dokidoki shite iru yo.I'm nervous, and my heart is pounding.
- 陽葵 Himari深呼吸して、心を落ち着かせて。Shinkokyū shite, kokoro o ochi-tsukasete.Take a deep breath and calm your heart.
- 大翔 Hiroto心から応援してほしいな。Kokoro karaōen shite hoshii na.I want you to support me from the bottom of your heart.
- 陽葵 Himariもちろん、心から応援しているよ！Mochiron, kokoro karaōen shite iru yo!Of course, I am supporting you with all my heart!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “heart” translations and entries 心, 心臓, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 心, 心臓, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
