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大脑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
大脑dànǎobrainHSK 5, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #1798, Hard
大脑dànǎocerebrumHSK 5, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #1798, Hard
dànǎo(da4nao3)da nao T4
  1. 1brain
  2. 2cerebrum
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March 24, 2026

大脑(大腦)dànǎo(da4nao3)

大脑 (dà nǎo) refers to the brain, specifically the cerebrum, which is the central organ of the nervous system responsible for processing sensory information, coordinating movement, and facilitating thought. It is commonly used in both scientific and everyday contexts when discussing cognitive functions or mental activities.

Strokes13Frequency#1798DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of the brain is often linked to intelligence and wisdom, with phrases like '脑袋灵活' (nǎodai línghuó) describing someone as quick-witted. The importance of nurturing one's brain is emphasized in educational contexts.

Memory Tip

Imagine a big '大' (big) brain '脑' (nǎo) that is so large it can hold all your thoughts! Visualize a giant brain sitting on a throne, symbolizing its importance in controlling everything you do.

Meanings of 大脑

dànǎo(da4nao3)
1brain
2cerebrum
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About 大脑

大脑Simplified
大腦Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2

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Podcast: 大脑

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AI Study Notes for 大脑

Quick Contrast

脑 (nǎo) vs 大脑 (dànǎo) — use 大脑 for emphasis on the organ as a whole, while 脑 can refer more generally to brain-related concepts.

Usage Notes

When using 大脑, be careful not to confuse it with 思维 (sī wéi), which means 'thinking' or 'thought process.' This word is more formal, often appearing in educational or medical contexts. Common collocations include '开发大脑' (kāifā dà nǎo, to develop the brain) and '大脑科学' (dà nǎo kēxué, brain science).

HSK Study Tips

大脑 is relevant for learners around HSK level 3 or 4, as it introduces vocabulary related to anatomy and health. Students should focus on its usage in sentences and practice combining it with verbs like 开发 (kāifā, to develop) or 保护 (bǎohù, to protect).

Common Mistakes

Some learners mistakenly use 大脑 interchangeably with 脑袋 (nǎodai), which can be incorrect in formal contexts. For example, saying '我的脑袋在想' (Wǒ de nǎodai zài xiǎng) is informal; using '我的大脑在想' (Wǒ de dà nǎo zài xiǎng) is more appropriate.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 大脑

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Component Characters

大dàbig
HSK 13 strokes大
View full entry
脑nǎobrain
HSK 310 strokes⺼
View full entry

How to say brain in Chinese

“brain” in Chinese is大脑dànǎo

大脑 (dà nǎo) refers to the brain, specifically the cerebrum, which is the central organ of the nervous system responsible for processing sensory information, coordinating movement, and facilitating thought. It is commonly used in both scientific and everyday contexts when discussing cognitive functions or mental activities.

When to use 大脑

When using 大脑, be careful not to confuse it with 思维 (sī wéi), which means 'thinking' or 'thought process.' This word is more formal, often appearing in educational or medical contexts. Common collocations include '开发大脑' (kāifā dà nǎo, to develop the brain) and '大脑科学' (dà nǎo kēxué, brain science).

大脑 or something close to it

脑 (nǎo) vs 大脑 (dànǎo) — use 大脑 for emphasis on the organ as a whole, while 脑 can refer more generally to brain-related concepts.

What learners get wrong

Some learners mistakenly use 大脑 interchangeably with 脑袋 (nǎodai), which can be incorrect in formal contexts. For example, saying '我的脑袋在想' (Wǒ de nǎodai zài xiǎng) is informal; using '我的大脑在想' (Wǒ de dà nǎo zài xiǎng) is more appropriate.

Write 大脑

大
脑

Practice writing 大脑 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Common Confusions with 大脑

大脑vs脑
nǎo

Similar sound and shape; '大' (big) is an adjective for '脑' (brain).

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Cultural Notes for 大脑

💡Did you know?

In Chinese culture, the brain is often associated with wisdom and intelligence. The phrase '动脑筋' (dòng nǎojīn) means to use one's brain or to think critically.

Frequently Asked Questions about 大脑

Common phrases with 大脑 include '脑袋大' (nǎo dài dà), meaning 'to be very intelligent,' and '大脑风暴' (dà nǎo fēng bào), which translates to 'brainstorming.' These phrases illustrate how 大脑 is used in various contexts.

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