Translation guide
The English word "heart" covers a wide range of meanings, from the physical organ to emotions, courage, and the center of something. Japanese uses different words for each nuance, and direct translation is often unnatural.
The anatomical heart that pumps blood.
The standard medical and everyday term for the physical heart.
心臓がドキドキしている。
My heart is pounding.
彼は心臓病で入院した。
He was hospitalized for heart disease.
Loanword from English, often used in casual or metaphorical contexts, or for the heart symbol (♥). Not typically used for the actual organ in medical contexts.
ハートの形のクッキーを焼いた。
I baked heart-shaped cookies.
The seat of emotions, love, or inner feelings.
The most common word for the emotional or spiritual heart. It covers feelings, mind, and spirit. Often used in set phrases.
心から感謝しています。
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
彼女の心は傷ついた。
Her heart was broken.
Refers to feelings or mood. Often used when talking about how one feels emotionally.
Literally 'chest', but often used metaphorically for the heart as the seat of emotions, especially in literary or poetic contexts.
Bravery, determination, or emotional strength.
The standard word for courage. Often used in phrases like 'take heart' or 'lose heart'.
勇気を出して話した。
I took heart and spoke.
勇気を失わないで。
Don't lose heart.
Nerve, guts, or boldness. More about daring than emotional courage.
Willpower, grit, or fighting spirit. Often used in sports or tough situations.
The central or most important part of something.
The most direct translation for 'center' or 'heart' in a spatial or abstract sense.
街の中心部に住んでいる。
I live in the heart of the city.
The core or essence of a matter, often used for the heart of a problem or issue.
Colloquial term for the very middle or center of something physical.
The symbol or shape of a heart.
The standard term for the heart symbol or shape.
ハートの絵文字を送った。
I sent a heart emoji.
Specifically 'heart-shaped'.
ハート形のチョコレートをもらった。
I received heart-shaped chocolates.
The heart suit in playing cards.
The standard term for the suit in card games.
ハートのエースを持っている。
I have the ace of hearts.
English often uses 'heart' in emotional expressions where Japanese uses different body parts or concepts. For example, 'broken heart' is often 失恋 (しつれん) or 心が痛む (こころがいたむ), not a direct translation. 'Heartwarming' is 心温まる (こころあたたまる), but many idioms differ.
心 (こころ) is deeper and more spiritual, often used for one's core self or conscience. 気持ち (きもち) is more about transient feelings or mood. Use 心 for 'heart and soul', and 気持ち for 'feelings'.
My heart is restless. / I feel uneasy.
My heart is moved. / I feel emotional.
He has a lot of heart. / He's got guts.
根性を見せろ！
Show some heart! / Show some grit!
問題の核心に迫る。
Get to the heart of the matter.
部屋の真ん中にテーブルがある。
There's a table in the heart of the room.