脳: the kanji for brain
脳 is a JLPT N2 kanji that means brain. Below are its readings, 4 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
脳 is written in 11 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
脳 has 1 reading in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 4 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
ノウ (nou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 脳のう · nō | brain |
| 頭脳ずのう · zunō | brain; intellect |
| 首脳しゅのう · shunō | leader; head (of state) |
| 脳外科のうげか · nōgeka | brain surgery; neurosurgery |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 十分に寝ないと脳が疲れる。Jūbun ni nenai to nō ga tsukareru.If you do not get enough sleep, your brain gets tired.
- 各国の首脳が会議に集まった。Kakkoku no shunō ga kaigi ni atsumatta.Leaders from each country gathered for the summit.
- 彼女は頭脳を使う仕事が得意だ。Kanojo wa zunō o tsukau shigoto ga tokui da.She is good at jobs that use brainpower.
- 祖父は脳外科で手術を受けた。Sofu wa nōgeka de shujutsu o uketa.My grandfather had surgery in the neurosurgery department.
- パズルは脳のトレーニングになる。Pazuru wa nō no torēningu ni naru.Puzzles are good training for the brain.
Questions about 脳
How many strokes does 脳 have?
脳 is written in 11 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 脳?
The on readings are nou (ノウ). 脳 has no kun reading in the Jōyō Kanji Table.
What JLPT level is 脳?
N2. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N2 is designed to match the former Level 2.
More JLPT N2 kanji
Body and health
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 脳
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.