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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

    頭: head. The Japanese noun '頭 (あたま)' primarily means 'head'. It refers to the physical head of a person or animal, but it can also be used metaphorically to refer to intelligence or leadership. For example: my head hurts「頭が痛い」(あたまがいたい). He is the head of the company「彼は会社の頭だ」(かれはかいしゃのあたまだ). Additionally, '頭' can be used in idiomatic expressions, such as '頭がいい (あたまがいい)' meaning 'smart' or 'intelligent'.

    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:

    word

    Meaning

    Head

    word

    到頭

    Meaning

    Finally

    word

    冒頭

    Meaning

    Beginning

    word

    先頭

    Meaning

    Front

    word

    頭痛

    Meaning

    Headache

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.