头脑

• Pinyin: tóu nǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 头 = simplified from 頭, 大 (big) + 頁 (head/page); 脑 = 月 (flesh/body) + simplified phonetic component from 腦

Meaning

Mind; brain; intellect. Refers to one's mental capacity or thinking ability.

Can refer to both the physical brain and abstract mental capability. Often used in expressions about intelligence or clarity of thought, such as 头脑清醒 (clear-headed) or 头脑简单 (simple-minded). Distinguished from 脑子, which is more colloquial.

Examples

1. 他头脑很聪明，学什么都很快。 He is very smart and learns everything quickly.
2. 遇到问题要保持头脑清醒。 You need to keep a clear head when facing problems.
3. 这件事需要有头脑的人来处理。 This matter needs someone with brains to handle it.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, academic

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 做生意需要有头脑。(You need brains to do business.)
• 你的头脑很灵活。(You have a flexible mind.)

Don't Say

• 我的头脑疼。(Don't use 头脑 for headaches — use 头 alone: 我头疼. 头脑 refers to mental capacity, not the physical head.)

Origin & History

头 means 'head' and 脑 means 'brain'. Together they refer to the organ of thought and, by extension, one's mental faculties.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal