Word Detail

The Japanese word 頭 あたま primarily means "head." It refers to the part of the body above the neck. It can also figuratively mean "mind," "brains," or "the top" or "the beginning" of something.

⚫︎ 頭が痛い。 Translation: My head hurts. ⚫︎ 彼は頭がいい。 Translation: He is smart. ⚫︎ 頭から考える。 Translation: To think from the beginning.

This word is commonly used in everyday conversation. It can be used to describe physical attributes, such as pain or hair. It can also be used figuratively to describe someone's intelligence, their thoughts, or the beginning or top of something. Pay attention to the context to understand the intended meaning.

⚫︎The word 頭 is typically written with the kanji 頭. ⚫︎The hiragana reading is あたま. ⚫︎There are no significant variations in okurigana.

⚫︎ かしら (Kashira): This can also mean "head," but is often used to refer to a leader or boss. ⚫︎ 脳みそ (Noumiso): Brains (figurative).

⚫︎ The word does not have direct antonyms in the same sense. It's too specific in its physical or figurative meanings.

私は今、少し頭が痛いです。 ・Translation: My head hurts a little now. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 頭 to refer to physical pain in the head.

彼女はとても頭がいいから、難しい問題を簡単に解くことができる。 ・Translation: She is very smart, so she can solve difficult problems easily. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 頭 figuratively to describe someone's intelligence.

The kanji 頭 combines the components of "big" or "top" (meaning 大) and "origin" (meaning 页). The meaning has gradually developed to mean "head" and also to be used in a metaphorical sense for “brains” or beginning.