Idioms Using “頭” ② – Useful in Everyday Conversations
Table of Contents
1. Idioms Using “頭”
2. Expressions that show emotions
3. Expressions that show confusion or trouble
4. Expressions that show thoughts or mental states
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: I like the idiom series.
Are there any famous idioms that use “頭” ?
A: Japanese has many idioms that use parts of the body. Among them, expressions with “頭” appear frequently in everyday conversation. By learning these idioms, your Japanese will gain more depth and richness, so try to remember and use them.
Expressions that show emotions
Many idioms using “頭” express emotions such as anger or excitement.
For example, when combined with words like “くる” or “血が上る,” they can express feelings of anger.
[頭にくる]
[Meaning]
To feel strong anger or discomfort when something irritating happens
[Examples]
友達に嘘をつかれて、本当に頭にきました。
My friend lied to me, and I really got angry.
後輩にえらそうな言い方をされて頭にきたよ。
My junior talked to me in an arrogant way, and I got angry.
[頭に血が上る]
[Meaning]
To become so excited or agitated that one cannot judge things rationally or loses composure
[Examples]
言い争いで頭に血が上って、相手を殴ってしまいました。
I got so angry in an argument that I ended up hitting the other person.
子供の不真面目な態度に頭に血が上って、怒ってしまいました。
I lost my temper at my child’s bad attitude and got very angry.
In addition, when calming down anger or excitement, expressions using “冷やす” or “冷える” are used.
[頭を冷やす]
[Meaning]
To suppress anger or excitement and calm oneself down
[Examples]
怒りがこみ上げてきたので、頭を冷やすために散歩しました。
I felt anger rising, so I took a walk to cool my head.
試合に負けて悔しかったんですが、頭を冷やしてから監督に謝りに行きました。
I was frustrated because we lost the game, but I cooled my head and then went to apologize to the coach.
[頭が冷える]
[Meaning]
For anger or excitement to naturally subside
[Examples]
息子はさっきまで怒っていたけど、時間が経って頭が冷えたようです。
My son was angry just a little while ago, but as time passed, he seems to have cooled down.
言われたことに腹が立ったけど、ちゃんと説明をされて一気に頭が冷えました。
I was upset by what was said to me, but after getting a proper explanation, I suddenly cooled down.
Expressions that show confusion or trouble
When combined with words like “悩ます” or “抱える,” the meaning becomes “to be troubled or worried.” Compared to “頭を悩ます,” the expression “頭を抱える” conveys a more psychologically pressured or cornered state.
[頭を悩ます]
[Meaning]
To suffer while thinking about how to deal with a certain problem or difficulty
[Examples]
新しいプロジェクトの進め方に頭を悩ませています。
I am troubled about how to proceed with the new project.
先輩は新入社員とのコミュニケーションの仕方に頭を悩ませています。
My senior is troubled about how to communicate with the new employees.
[頭を抱える]
[Meaning]
To be troubled or worried by something serious that has happened and feel at a complete loss
[Examples]
新しいシステムが全く動かず、担当者は頭を抱えています。
The new system is not working at all, and the person in charge is at a loss.
大量の注文が同時に入り、社員は頭を抱えてパニックになっています。
A flood of orders came in at the same time, and the employees are panicking in confusion.
Expressions that show thoughts or mental states
Idioms such as “浮かぶ,” “真っ白になる,” and “頭から水を浴びたよう” describe thoughts or mental states inside the mind.
[頭に浮かぶ]
[Meaning]
For new ideas or images to arise in one’s mind
[Examples]
昔の画家の作品を見ていると影響を受けて、今まで思いつかなかったことが頭に浮かんできます。
When I look at the works of painters from the past, I am inspired and new ideas that I had never thought of before come to mind.
デスクの前にいるよりも、お風呂に入っているときのほうが良い考えが次々と頭に浮かびます。
More good ideas come to mind when I am in the bath than when I am sitting at my desk.
[頭が真っ白になる]
[Meaning]
To be so nervous or shocked that one’s thoughts stop working, leaving the mind completely blank
[Examples]
面接で緊張して、頭が真っ白になってしまいました。
I got nervous during the interview, and my mind went completely blank.
たくさん練習したのに、本番で頭が真っ白になってしまいました。
Even though I had practiced a lot, my mind went completely blank during the actual performance.
[頭から水を浴びたよう（だ）]
[Meaning]
To be startled or frightened by something that happened suddenly, causing one’s feelings to cool down or sending a chill of fear
While “頭が真っ白になる” expresses a kind of “mental shutdown,” “頭から水を浴びたよう” conveys the image of emotions suddenly cooling down, as if doused with cold water.
[Examples]
試験に落ちたと聞いて、頭から水を浴びせられたような気持ちになりました。
When I heard that I had failed the exam, I felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over my head.
誰もいないはずの廃墟から声がしたように思えて、頭から水を浴びせられたように感じました。
When I thought I heard a voice coming from a deserted ruin where no one should have been, I felt as if cold water had been poured over my head.
Summary
| Category | Idiom | Mening |
|---|---|---|
| Expressions that show emotions | 頭にくる | To feel strong anger or discomfort when something irritating happens |
| 頭に血が上る | To become so excited or agitated that one cannot judge things rationally or loses composure | |
| 頭を冷やす | To suppress anger or excitement and calm oneself down | |
| 頭が冷える | For anger or excitement to naturally subside | |
| Expressions that show confusion or trouble | 頭を悩ます | To suffer while thinking about how to deal with a certain problem or difficulty |
| 頭を抱える | To be troubled or worried by something serious that has happened and feel at a complete loss | |
| Expressions that show thoughts or mental states | 頭に浮かぶ | For new ideas or images to arise in one’s mind |
| 頭が真っ白になる | To be so nervous or shocked that one’s thoughts stop working, leaving the mind completely blank | |
| 頭から水を浴びたよう（だ） | To be startled or frightened by something that happened suddenly, causing one’s feelings to cool down or sending a chill of fear |
Similer Articles
- Must-Know for Foreigners Working in Japan: Do You Really Need a Hanko (Personal Seal)?
- Differences in Parts of Speech between Japanese and English②
- Differences in Parts of Speech between Japanese and English①
- Learning the Forms of Japanese from Classical Literature
- Idioms Using “頭” ② – Useful in Everyday Conversations
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