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洗脳 (せんのう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

洗せん脳のう

せ

ん

の

う

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 10,000

Meanings

1

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', transitive verb

brainwashing; mind control

Refers to systematic manipulation of beliefs or thoughts, often in political, religious, or coercive contexts. Can be used literally or figuratively.

彼かれはカルトに洗せん脳のうされた。
He was brainwashed by a cult.
洗せん脳のう教きょう育いくは人じん権けん侵しん害がいだ。
Brainwashing education is a human rights violation.

Kanji

洗wash, inquire into, probe
脳brain, memory

Similar words

マインドコントロール
A loanword from English 'mind control', often used in similar contexts but can sound slightly more technical or psychological. 洗脳 is the more common, native Japanese term.
教きょう化か
Means 'indoctrination' or 'enlightenment', often with a less coercive nuance than 洗脳. 教化 can refer to educational or moral guidance, while 洗脳 implies forceful manipulation.

Etymology

Compound of 洗 (wash, cleanse) and 脳 (brain), literally 'brain-washing'. A calque from English 'brainwashing', which itself is a calque from Chinese 洗腦 (xǐnǎo). The term became widespread in the mid-20th century.