心のない
kokoro no nai
The English word "soulless" is translated into Japanese as 心のない (kokoro no nai).
Meaning: as if without a soul (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of kokoro (heart/soul), the particle no (possessive/attributive) and nai (non-existent/without).
How do you pronounce it?
kokoro no nai
Did you know?
- While 心のない describes a lack of soul, the physical organ for the heart is a completely different word, shinzō. This creates a sharp distinction between the biological pump and the emotional center.
- Japanese speakers use 心のない to describe impersonal words or speech. In English, 'soulless' is more commonly used for physical places or objects than for a specific sentence.
- The term kokoro appears in the title of one of Japan's most famous novels by Natsume Sōseki, where it explores the isolation and hidden depths of the human spirit.
Examples in context
- 心のない言葉を投げかけないで。Kokoro no nai kotoba o nagekakenaide.Don't throw soulless words at me.
- あの街は心のない建物ばかりだ。Ano machi wa kokoro no nai tatemono bakari da.That town is full of nothing but soulless buildings.
- 心のない機械のような動きだ。Kokoro no nai kikai no yōna ugoki da.It is a soulless, machine-like movement.
Example conversation
陽葵 and 陽太 are discussing a modern art gallery they just visited.
- 陽葵 Himariこの展示は少し心のない感じがするね。Kono tenji wa sukoshi kokoro no nai kanji ga suru ne.This exhibition feels a bit soulless, doesn't it?
- 陽太 Yota確かに、綺麗だけど温かみがないよ。Tashika ni, kirei dakedo atatakami ga nai yo.True, it's beautiful but lacks warmth.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太君の言う通りだわ。Hinata-kun no iu tōri da wa.It's just as you say, Hinata.
- 陽太 Yotaもっと人間味のある作品が好きだな。Motto ningenmi no aru sakuhin ga suki da na.I prefer works that have more humanity.
