心 means “heart, mind”

こころ · kokoro

Also: spirit, heart radical (no. 61)

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): こころ
On'yomi (Chinese reading): シン

JLPT N4 · Taught in grade 2 · 4 strokes

The story

The Japanese "heart" encompasses both emotion and thought, where feeling and reason meet as one.

Fundamental to understanding Japanese emotional expression

Where it comes from

Pictographic (象形文字): An anatomical heart with chambers and aorta.

Unlike the Western ❤ shape, the Chinese pictograph was based on the actual organ. The hook in 心 represents the heart's shape, and the three dots are the blood vessels branching from it. Ancient people believed the heart was the seat of thought and emotion.

To remember it: A curved heart shape (㣺) with three dots: three beats of emotion.

Its parts

心 Heart/mind · Entire character

A pictograph of the heart organ with its chambers: heart, mind

Words with 心

安心 (あんしん, anshin): peace of mind
本心 (ほんしん, honshin): true feelings
心力 (しんりょく, shinryoku): mental effort

Example sentences

心配しないでください。 Please don't worry.
彼女は心が優しいです。 She has a kind heart.
安心しました。 I feel relieved.

Kanji that look like 心

必 (necessary / certain): 必 adds a stroke through 心: something the heart must have

More from People & Life

Learn 心 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji