Word in Japanese/emotion
Heart in Japanese
Heart translates as 心 (kokoro). Below is a full breakdown with stroke counts, alternate writings, an example sentence, and tattoo design notes.
What it means
心 (kokoro, こころ) means heart.
| Kanji | Meaning | Strokes | On'yomi | Kun'yomi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 心 | heart, mind, spirit | 4 | shin | kokoro |
Alternate writings
Japanese often offers more than one valid kanji for a concept. The alternates below carry slightly different nuance — read them carefully before choosing.
the physical organ — used in medical contexts, not for emotional heart
Compounds and related words
Common Japanese vocabulary built around this kanji.
| Word | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 本心 | honshin | true intention, real feelings |
| 決心 | kesshin | determination, resolve |
| 安心 | anshin | peace of mind, relief |
Example sentence
心から感謝しています。
Kokoro kara kansha shite imasu.
I thank you from my heart.
Tattoo design notes
心 is the single kanji for heart in the emotional and metaphorical sense — feelings, mind, intention. It is one of the most popular tattoo kanji because it reads cleanly, has only four strokes, and carries deep meaning across emotional, philosophical, and martial-arts contexts. Use 心臓 only if you mean the physical heart organ — it reads as anatomically clinical.
Cultural notes
心 appears in countless Japanese phrases and proverbs and is one of the most culturally weighted single kanji. The radical 心 (heart) appears in many emotion-related kanji like 思 (think), 愛 (love), 念 (thought).
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say heart in Japanese?
Heart in Japanese is 心, romanised as kokoro and written in hiragana as こころ. 心 appears in countless Japanese phrases and proverbs and is one of the most culturally weighted single kanji. The radical 心 (heart) appears in many emotion-related kanji like 思 (think), 愛 (love), 念 (thought).
What does the kanji 心 mean?
心 means "heart, mind, spirit" (4 strokes; on'yomi: shin; kun'yomi: kokoro). Together the word reads as kokoro.
What is the difference between 心 and 心臓?
心 (kokoro) is the standard form: 心 appears in countless Japanese phrases and proverbs and is one of the most culturally weighted single kanji. The radical 心 (heart) appears in many emotion-related kanji like 思 (think), 愛 (love), 念 (thought).. 心臓 (shinzou) is different — the physical organ — used in medical contexts, not for emotional heart. Pick based on the exact nuance you want to convey.
Is 心 a good kanji for a tattoo?
心 is the single kanji for heart in the emotional and metaphorical sense — feelings, mind, intention. It is one of the most popular tattoo kanji because it reads cleanly, has only four strokes, and carries deep meaning across emotional, philosophical, and martial-arts contexts. Use 心臓 only if you mean the physical heart organ — it reads as anatomically clinical.
How do you write heart in hiragana?
In hiragana, heart is written as こころ, which represents the sound kokoro. The kanji form 心 is used in everyday writing; hiragana is used when the kanji is too difficult, for emphasis, or in children's text.
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