脑子

• Pinyin: nǎo zi
• Hanzi breakdown: 脑 = 月 (flesh radical) + 巛 + 囟, the brain; 子 = noun suffix

Meaning

Brain; mind. The organ in the head or one's thinking ability.

Can refer to the physical brain or, more commonly, to one's mental capacity, wit, or thinking. Often used in expressions like 动脑子 (use your brain), 脑子不好使 (not thinking clearly), or 脑子进水 (lost your mind, slang).

Examples

1. 多动动脑子，别总是等着别人告诉你答案。 Use your brain more; don't always wait for others to tell you the answer.
2. 我今天脑子不太清醒，一直犯困。 My mind isn't very clear today; I keep feeling drowsy.
3. 他脑子转得很快，反应特别灵敏。 His mind works very fast; his reactions are especially quick.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, thinking, criticism

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 你脑子里在想什么呢？(What are you thinking about?)
• 这道题需要好好动脑子。(This problem requires using your brain well.)

Don't Say

• 我的脑子痛了。(For headache, use 头疼 or 头痛 — 脑子痛 sounds like brain pain, which is unusual)

Origin & History

脑 (nǎo, brain) + 子 (zi, noun suffix). The brain; colloquial form of 脑袋.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal