The Meaning of seishin [精神] In Japanese

精神
せいしん
Romaji: seishin N4

What does 精神 mean?

Translation and Meaning

mind, spirit, psyche, mentality

Definition

精神 means the mind or spirit—the seat of thoughts, emotions, and will; it is used to describe a person’s mental life, mood, and psychological and spiritual condition.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Mind, psyche, or consciousness—the inner faculties that think and feel
  • Spirit or soul—the non-material essence or animating force
  • Mental state or mood at a given time—the condition of one’s cognition and emotions
  • A philosophical or psychological concept referring to mental life or spiritual aspects, commonly seen in terms like 精神的

Etymology

Two on’yomi components, 精 (sei) and 神 (shin), combine to form seishin; the compound arose in Sino-Japanese lexicalization and is read as seishin in modern Japanese.

Origin

Introduced to Japanese through Chinese philosophical and Buddhist writings, the term was established in classical Japanese to denote the mind and spirit and later extended to encompass mental states and psychological aspects.

Composition

  • 精: essence, refined energy
  • 神: spirit, deity

Usage

Used primarily as a noun in formal and written contexts to refer to the mind or spirit; in everyday language it appears in phrases like 精神を集中する and 精神的な状態, and in disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, and medicine to discuss mental life and well-being.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine 精 as rice refined into energy that fuels the brain, and 神 as a guardianship of spirit; when you see 精神, pair sei + shin in your mind to recall the combined sense of inner energy and life force.

Variations

  • 心 (kokoro) — mind, heart
  • 心理 (shinri) — psychology, mental processes
  • 精神的 (seishinteki) — mental, psychological
  • 精神状態 (seishin jōtai) — mental state

Example Phrases

  • 朝の会議で 精神 が 緊張 して 息を 整える ことで 落ち着いた。
    Asa no kaigi de seishin ga kinchō shite iki o totonoeru koto de ochitsuita.
    At the morning meeting, my mind was tense, and I calmed down by regulating my breathing.
    Lista:
    • 朝の会議で (asa no kaigi de) – at the morning meeting
    • 精神 (seishin) – mind; mental state
    • が (ga) – subject marker
    • 緊張 (kinchō) – tension; nervousness
    • して (shite) – doing
    • 息を (iki o) – breath
    • 整える (totonoeru) – to adjust; to regulate
    • ことで (koto de) – by doing
    • 落ち着いた (ochitsuita) – calmed down
    Here, 「精神」 means mind or mental state; it functions as the subject with が.
精神