The soft, fleshy organ enclosed inside the skull.
Brain, mind, intellect, mental effort; also forms words like 电脑 (computer). Flesh (月) tucked inside the skull/pit shape (㐫).
脑
Common Usage & Traps
- 电脑 — computer
- 大脑 — brain
- 脑子 — brain; mind
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脑机电脑English speakers may literally translate 'brain machine' as 脑机, but the natural Chinese word for computer is 电脑.
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我脑我的脑子Standalone 脑 is bound; to say 'my brain' you need 我的脑子 or 我的大脑.
Why does 电脑 mean 'computer' and not just 'electric brain'?
电脑 literally means 'electric brain', a vivid metaphor for a machine that thinks.
In Chinese, 脑 alone usually refers to the biological brain. When combined with 电 (electric), it becomes 电脑, the everyday word for computer. English speakers should treat 电脑 as a fixed vocabulary item, not as a literal phrase to be translated word-for-word.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | 电脑 = computer | 脑 = brain (body part) |
| Usage | Use 电脑 for the device | Do not use 脑 alone for a computer |
| Example | 我用电脑写字。 | 我用脑写字。 |
What is the difference between 脑 and 恼?
脑 (nǎo) means brain; 恼 (nǎo) means annoyed or to anger.
Both characters share the same pronunciation and the same right-side component, but their radicals differ. 脑 has the flesh radical 月, indicating a body part. 恼 has the heart radical 忄, indicating an emotion. Remember: flesh for the organ, heart for the feeling.
| Dimension | 脑 | 恼 |
|---|---|---|
| Radical | 月 (flesh) | 忄 (heart) |
| Meaning | brain | annoyed; to anger |
| Example | 大脑 (brain) | 烦恼 (trouble; worry) |
Appears in Stories 5 stories
This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.
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我：“上个星期天，你说你喜欢他们的那个桌子和那个 电脑椅 。
This playful poem will make you smile as you explore how Chinese words like 'computer' and 'phone' can be funnier than they seem. Get ready to enjoy simple HSK 1 vocabulary and a twist of logic!
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超市非常小， 电脑 没脑子 ，电话不能打。
This short, soothing piece is about missing someone on a rainy night. The sentences are simple and repeat often, so you can practice reading while feeling the warm emotion.
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我看着 电脑 ，写下了几个字：小雨，我想你。
Why would a millionaire leave a table of lobster and wagyu untouched? This story explores the hidden rules of business dining and the true cost of staying alert.
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他说，我这些年养成的习惯，饭局上少吃，特别是不碰荤菜，碰了 脑子 就不清醒。
Follow a day from waking at six-thirty to coming home at eight, then leap across days, months, and years. This simple story helps you practice speaking about routines and life changes with clear time words.
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去年买了新 电脑 。
Questions & Discussion 0 questions
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