心
Meanings
1
A broad word for a person's inner life: thoughts, emotions, intentions, conscience, or mental/spiritual strength. English often chooses either 'mind' or 'heart' depending on context.
I was deeply moved by her words.
My mind won't settle down before the exam.
2
Limited, old-fashioned or literary use for the intended meaning or point of a phrase, poem, riddle, or similar expression. In ordinary modern speech, 意味 is more common.
In an old-fashioned expression, このなぞなぞの心 means the meaning of this riddle.
Usage patterns
- 〈物・事〉に心を込めるto put one's heart into something
I put my heart into making the meal.
- 〈事〉が心に残るfor something to stay in one's heart/memory
His words stayed with me.
- 心が痛むfor one's heart to ache (with sympathy or guilt)
My heart ached when I heard her story.
- 〈人〉の心を打つto move someone deeply; to touch someone's heart
That movie touched the hearts of many people.
- 心を開くto open up emotionally to someone
I gradually began to open up to him.
- 心が折れるto become discouraged; for one's spirit to break
After repeated failures, I nearly lost heart.