Translation guide
The English word "mind" covers a wide range of meanings, from the thinking organ to attention, opinion, and memory. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese equivalents for learners.
Referring to the mind as the faculty of thought, reasoning, or intelligence.
Literally 'head', but commonly used to mean mind, brains, or intellect in casual contexts.
He has a good mind. / He's smart.
Intellect or intelligence, more formal than 頭.
Mind or psyche, often in psychological or philosophical contexts.
Referring to the mind as the seat of emotions, feelings, or inner self.
The most common word for heart/mind in emotional contexts. Covers feelings, spirit, and inner thoughts.
Referring to what one is thinking about or paying attention to.
Used in many set phrases for attention, awareness, or mental focus.
Referring to one's opinion, decision, or intention.
Referring to memory or recollection.
Memory. Used when 'mind' refers to the ability to remember or something remembered.
Expressing that something matters to you or bothers you (often in questions or negatives).
To mind, to care about, to be bothered by. Very common.
For 'Do you mind?', 気にしますか is possible but less natural than かまいませんか.
Telling someone to be cautious or pay attention to something.
To be careful, to mind (e.g., mind the step).
To mind as in to watch over or tend to something/someone.
To look after, to watch. Use with object.
頭 (あたま) is for intellectual mind, 心 (こころ) for emotional mind, and 気 (き) is used in many idiomatic expressions for attention, mood, or care. Choosing the right one depends on whether you mean thinking, feeling, or awareness.
good mind (intellectual)
Use your mind and think.
She has a brilliant mind.
精神と身体の健康
health of mind and body
My mind/heart aches.
I'm not mentally prepared. (lit. my mind isn't ready)
Feeling or mood, often used when 'mind' refers to one's state of mind or feelings.
I understand his mind/feelings.
Mind/spirit, often used in contexts of mental strength or psychological state.
to focus one's mind
彼の言ったことが気になる。
What he said is on my mind.
Please mind your step. / Be careful.
Can't get out of one's mind, stuck in one's head.
That song is stuck in my mind.
Thought or opinion. Used when 'mind' means what one thinks about something.
I changed my mind.
Opinion, view. More formal than 考え.
He speaks his mind clearly.
Determination, resolution. Used when 'make up one's mind' means to decide firmly.
He made up his mind to study abroad.
I have no memory of that day. / It's not in my mind.
To remember, to keep in mind.
Do you have his name in mind? / Do you remember his name?
Do you mind if I smoke?
He doesn't mind what people say.
To mind, to care. Often used in negative or question forms.
Do you mind if I sit here?
I don't mind if he comes.
Same as かまう but more formal/written.
I don't mind anytime.
To be careful, to pay attention. Slightly more formal.
Please mind the step.
Could you mind my luggage for a moment?
Please mind the children.
To take care of, to look after (more involved care).
I'm minding the neighbor's dog.
broad-minded (emotional)
mind wanders (attention)
The loanword マインド exists but is mainly used in business or self-help contexts (e.g., マインドセット). It is not a natural replacement for most uses of 'mind'.
In Japanese, 'my mind' is often just implied. Instead of saying 'my mind is...', use phrases like 気になる or 頭から離れない without specifying whose mind.
Mind your own business!
Idiomatic; literally 'big help' (sarcastic).