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What is the Kanji for 'Head'? | 頭

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Head', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Head' is 頭.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Head

    Reading

    kunyomiあたま

    atama

    かしら

    kashira

    onyomiとう

    tou

    zu

    Parts

    Beans 𦣻Neck (首)Eight

    Example Word

    先頭: front. The Japanese noun '先頭 (せんとう)' means 'front' or 'head' and refers to the foremost part or position of something, such as a line, group, or procession. It is often used to describe the leading position in a physical or metaphorical sense. For example: He is at the front of the line「彼は列の先頭にいます」(かれはれつのせんとうにいます). The team leader is at the head of the group「チームリーダーはグループの先頭にいます」(チームリーダーはグループのせんとうにいます). This word can also be used in contexts like races, marches, or any situation where order or position matters.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    16

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    129

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 3 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Beans

    radical

    𦣻

    Meaning

    Neck

    Radical Form Of

    kanji

    Meaning

    Eight

Words Using

This kanji is used in 5 words:

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 5 kanji contain the part 豆 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Short

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ascend

    kanji

    Meaning

    Plentiful

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fight, Struggle

    kanji

    Meaning

    Smallpox, Pox

Kanji Related to Through the Part 𦣻

These 2 kanji contain the part 𦣻 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Face

    kanji

    Meaning

    Summer

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 16 kanji contain the part 八 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Six

    kanji

    Meaning

    Small

    kanji

    Meaning

    Shellfish

    kanji

    Meaning

    Red

    kanji

    Meaning

    Father

    kanji

    Meaning

    Face

    kanji

    Meaning

    Minute, Part

    kanji

    Meaning

    Yellow

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ship

    kanji

    Meaning

    Public

    kanji

    Meaning

    Together

    kanji

    Meaning

    Command, Proportion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Code, Rule

    kanji

    Meaning

    Soldier

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hole

    kanji

    Meaning

    Take in, Vicarious

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 頭 mean?

頭 means 'Head'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.