心: the kanji for heart and mind
心 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means heart, mind. Below are its readings, 14 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
心 is written in 4 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
心 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 13 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
シン (shin)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 安心あんしん · anshin | relief |
| 中心ちゅうしん · chūshin | center |
| 心配しんぱい · shinpai | worry |
| 熱心ねっしん · nesshin | eager; enthusiastic |
| 関心かんしん · kanshin | interest |
| 感心かんしん · kanshin | admiration |
| 心理しんり · shinri | psychology |
| 都心としん · toshin | city center |
| 本心ほんしん · honshin | true feelings |
こころ (kokoro)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 心こころ · kokoro | heart; mind |
| 心からこころから · kokorokara | from the bottom of one's heart |
| 心強いこころづよい · kokorozuyoi | reassuring |
| 親心おやごころ · oyagokoro | parental love |
Special readings to learn as whole words
These words use 心, but their readings do not follow the readings above. The Jōyō Kanji Table lists them as special readings. Learn each one as a whole word.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 心地ここち · kokochi | feeling; comfort |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 心配しないでください。Shinpai shinaide kudasai.Please don't worry.
- 心からお礼を申し上げます。Kokorokara o-rei o mōshiagemasu.I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
- 都心のオフィスに通っています。Toshin no ofisu ni kayotte imasu.I commute to an office in central Tokyo.
- 彼女は仕事にとても熱心です。Kanojo wa shigoto ni totemo nesshin desu.She is very dedicated to her work.
- 日本の文化に関心があります。Nihon no bunka ni kanshin ga arimasu.I'm interested in Japanese culture.
- 皆さんがいてくれて心強いです。Minasan ga ite kurete kokorozuyoi desu.It's reassuring to have all of you here.
Questions about 心
How many strokes does 心 have?
心 is written in 4 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 心?
The on readings are shin (シン). The kun readings are kokoro (こころ).
What is the difference between 関心 and 感心?
Both are read kanshin. 関心 means interest in something, as in 関心があります (I'm interested). 感心 means being impressed, as in 感心しました (I was impressed).
What JLPT level is 心?
N4. 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 N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 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 心
- 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.