Meaning and Usage
"心臓" (しんぞう) refers specifically to the physical heart organ in the body. It is used in medical contexts, everyday conversation about health, and expressions related to emotions or physical sensations.
Common Collocations
- 心臓がドキドキする: to have a pounding heart, often from excitement or nervousness.
- 心臓の病気: heart disease, a medical condition.
- 心臓の鼓動: heartbeat, the rhythmic beating of the heart.
Register and Nuance
"心臓" is a neutral term used in both formal and informal contexts. It is not used metaphorically for courage or spirit; for that, words like "心" (heart/mind) are used instead.
Learner Tips
Be careful not to confuse "心臓" with "心". "心臓" is the physical heart, while "心" refers to the mind, feelings, or spirit. For example, "心臓が痛い" means physical heart pain, whereas "心が痛い" means emotional pain.