About this Draft
This page is part of the early access version of The Kanji Speedrun. The essentials—kanji meanings and mnemonics—are already in place and usable, but nearly every part of the page is still being polished. Some entries may contain mistakes, but please rest assured we are working hard to make revisions.
We’re sharing these drafts now so you can keep learning while we polish the full experience. If you notice something off, please don’t hesitate to let me know—it’s a huge help in improving the course!
心
HEART ・ MIND
Mnemonic
Picture this kanji as the beating HEART at the center of a person. The small strokes radiating outward are like pulses or feelings flowing from it. Because the heart was long thought of as the seat of thought and emotion, this kanji also carries the meaning of MIND.
心 often appears as a component in other kanji, sometimes in the form ⺗ or 忄 on the left side, carrying the sense of “heart,” “feeling,” or “spirit.”
Example Vocabulary
- 安心（あんしん） – relief, peace of mind
- 心配（しんぱい） – worry
- 中心（ちゅうしん） – center, core
- 真心（まごころ） – sincerity, true heart
- 心地（ここち） – feeling, mood, comfort
Matters of the heart
From relief (安心) to worry (心配), from sincerity (真心) to mood (心地), the kanji 心 runs through the language of emotion and thought.
It reminds us that what happens in the heart shapes how we feel, speak, and act.
Example Sentences
- テストが終わって安心しました。– I felt relieved after the test ended.
- 友だちの心配をやめさせたい。– I want to stop my friend from worrying.