脳
brain, memory
Readings
On'yomi
- ノウ
- ドウ
Kun'yomi
- のうずる
Meaning
脳 centers on the brain as the organ of thought and memory. The memory sense is a natural extension of the brain's function.
Most common words using 脳
20 of 215- 脳のうN1
brain
- 洗脳せんのう
brainwashing
- 首脳しゅのうN2
head; leader; top
- 脳みそのうみそ
brains; brain tissue
- 頭脳ずのうN2
head; brains
- 電脳でんのう
computer
- 脳波のうは
brain waves
- 脳神経のうしんけい
cranial nerves; cerebral nerves
- 脳卒中のうそっちゅう
stroke; cerebral haemorrhage; cerebral hemorrhage
- 脳裏のうり
one's mind
- 脳死のうしN1
brain death
- 脳腫瘍のうしゅよう
brain tumor; brain tumour
- 大脳だいのうN1
cerebrum
- 脳天のうてん
top of the head; crown of the head
- 右脳うのう
right brain
- 左脳さのう
left brain
- 脳炎のうえん
brain inflammation; encephalitis; cerebritis
- 脳外科のうげか
brain surgery
- 脳症のうしょう
encephalopathy
- 小脳しょうのう
cerebellum
Study
Etymology
脳 is the modern simplified form of 腦. The older form combines ⺼ (flesh/body part) with a phonetic component that also suggests the idea of the brain. The modern simplification replaces the right side with 凶, which is not historically related to the original component.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side ⺼ is flesh, and the bottom 凶 looks like a container with something inside. Picture the skull as a container holding the fleshy brain.
Reading mnemonic
For ノウ, imagine a brain that knows everything: know -> ノウ. The brain stores all your knowledge and memories.