Translation guide
The English word "mind" covers a wide range of meanings, from the thinking organ to attention, opinion, and memory. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese equivalents for learners.
Referring to the mind as the faculty of thought, reasoning, or intelligence.
Literally 'head', but commonly used to mean mind, brains, or intellect in casual contexts.
彼は頭がいい。
He has a good mind. / He's smart.
頭を使って考えなさい。
Use your mind and think.
Intellect or intelligence, more formal than 頭.
Mind or psyche, often in psychological or philosophical contexts.
Referring to the mind as the seat of emotions, feelings, or inner self.
The most common word for heart/mind in emotional contexts. Covers feelings, spirit, and inner thoughts.
Referring to what one is thinking about or paying attention to.
Used in many set phrases for attention, awareness, or mental focus.
Referring to one's opinion, decision, or intention.
Referring to memory or recollection.
Memory. Used when 'mind' refers to the ability to remember or something remembered.
Expressing that something matters to you or bothers you (often in questions or negatives).
To mind, to care about, to be bothered by. Very common.
For 'Do you mind?', 気にしますか is possible but less natural than かまいませんか.
Telling someone to be cautious or pay attention to something.
To mind as in to watch over or tend to something/someone.
To look after, to watch. Use with object.
ちょっと荷物を見てもらえますか？
Could you mind my luggage for a moment?
子供を見ていてください。
Please mind the children.
頭 (あたま) is for intellectual mind, 心 (こころ) for emotional mind, and 気 (き) is used in many idiomatic expressions for attention, mood, or care. Choosing the right one depends on whether you mean thinking, feeling, or awareness.
頭がいい (smart)
good mind (intellectual)
心が広い (generous)
broad-minded (emotional)
気が散る (get distracted)
mind wanders (attention)
The loanword マインド exists but is mainly used in business or self-help contexts (e.g., マインドセット). It is not a natural replacement for most uses of 'mind'.
She has a brilliant mind.
精神と身体の健康
health of mind and body
心が痛む。
My mind/heart aches.
心の準備ができていない。
I'm not mentally prepared. (lit. my mind isn't ready)
Feeling or mood, often used when 'mind' refers to one's state of mind or feelings.
彼の気持ちがわかる。
I understand his mind/feelings.
Mind/spirit, often used in contexts of mental strength or psychological state.
精神を集中する。
to focus one's mind
彼の言ったことが気になる。
What he said is on my mind.
気をつけてください。
Please mind your step. / Be careful.
Can't get out of one's mind, stuck in one's head.
その曲が頭から離れない。
That song is stuck in my mind.
Thought or opinion. Used when 'mind' means what one thinks about something.
私は考えを変えた。
I changed my mind.
Opinion, view. More formal than 考え.
彼は自分の意見をはっきり言う。
He speaks his mind clearly.
Determination, resolution. Used when 'make up one's mind' means to decide firmly.
彼は留学する決心をした。
He made up his mind to study abroad.
その日のことは記憶にない。
I have no memory of that day. / It's not in my mind.
To remember, to keep in mind.
彼の名前を覚えていますか？
Do you have his name in mind? / Do you remember his name?
タバコを吸ってもかまいませんか？
Do you mind if I smoke?
彼は何を言われても気にしない。
He doesn't mind what people say.
To mind, to care. Often used in negative or question forms.
ここに座ってもかまいませんか？
Do you mind if I sit here?
彼が来てもかまわない。
I don't mind if he comes.
Same as かまう but more formal/written.
いつでも構いません。
I don't mind anytime.
To be careful, to mind (e.g., mind the step).
To be careful, to pay attention. Slightly more formal.
段差に注意してください。
Please mind the step.
To take care of, to look after (more involved care).
隣の犬の世話をしている。
I'm minding the neighbor's dog.
In Japanese, 'my mind' is often just implied. Instead of saying 'my mind is...', use phrases like 気になる or 頭から離れない without specifying whose mind.
In Japanese, 'my mind' is often just implied. Instead of saying 'my mind is...', use phrases like 気になる or 頭から離れない without specifying whose mind.