The character 心 relates to heart; mind. Learn its readings together with whole words and see them in context.

The idea

Kanji may have native Japanese readings (kun) and readings borrowed through Chinese (on); learn a reading with its word. Learn complete words: 心 (こころ) means heart; mind, and 心配 (しんぱい) means worry; concern. 心 has 4 strokes; follow their order in the linked KanjiVG diagram.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingMeaning
心こころheart; mind
心配しんぱいworry; concern
安心あんしんrelief; peace of mind

Examples

  • この音楽おんがくを聞きくと心こころが落おち着つきます。When I listen to this music, I feel calm.
  • 家族かぞくのことを思おもうと心こころがあたたかくなります。Thinking of my family warms my heart.
  • 母ははは私わたしの体からだを心配しんぱいしています。My mother is worried about my health.
  • 試験しけんの結果けっかを心配しんぱいしています。I am worried about the exam result.
  • あなたの声こえを聞きいて安心あんしんしました。Hearing your voice reassured me.
  • 道みちが分わかって安心あんしんしました。I was relieved to find out the way.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

心 often refers to the mind or feelings rather than the physical heart. 心配する means to worry; 安心する means to feel relieved. Do not guess a word’s reading or meaning from the character alone: compare 心 and 心配. Also compare the shapes of 心 and 必; they are different characters.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 心 in hiragana.

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    こころ

    心 is read こころ and means heart; mind.

  2. Write the reading of 心配 in hiragana.

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    しんぱい

    心配 is read しんぱい and means worry; concern.

  3. Fill in the missing kanji: 安＿（あんしん）.

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    心

    心 completes 安心, read あんしん; the word means relief; peace of mind.

Use it today

Cover the table, write 心 from memory, read 心 and 心配 aloud, and make a sentence with one of them.