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JLPT N111画 · 11 strokesradical 肉grade 6freq #459

brain, memory

On'yomi (音読み)

  • ノウ
  • ドウ

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

  • のうずる

Mnemonic

Imagine a brain made of tender meat, where juicy memories are sliced and served, reminding you how critical the brain is for your thoughts.

About this kanji

The kanji 脳 (のう) primarily means "brain" and is often associated with memory and mental functions. It is mostly used as a noun, but it can be part of verbal expressions, like the verb のうずる, meaning to use one's brains or to think. You might encounter it in compounds such as 首脳 (しゅのう), which means "head" or "leader," 脳死 (のうし), meaning "brain death," and 大脳 (だいのう), which refers to the "cerebrum." Another interesting compound is 頭脳 (ずのう), meaning "head" or "intellect." A usage note: this kanji is frequently involved in discussions about health, science, and psychology.

Example sentences

  • 脳は非常に複雑だ。

    The brain is very complex.

Meanings across languages

English
brain, memory
Tiếng Việt
não, trí nhớ
日本語
脳, 記憶
한국어
뇌, 기억
中文
大脑, 记忆
id
otak
th
สมอง
es
cerebro
fr
cerveau
de
Gehirn
pt
cérebro

Common compounds

  • 首脳しゅのうhead, leader, top
  • 脳死のうしbrain death
  • 大脳だいのうcerebrum
  • 頭脳ずのうhead, brains, intellect
  • 脳波のうはbrain waves, electroencephalogram, EEG
  • 脳裏のうりone's mind
  • 脳出血のうしゅっけつcerebral hemorrhage, cerebral haemorrhage
  • 脳卒中のうそっちゅうstroke, cerebral haemorrhage, cerebral hemorrhage

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