精神|せいしんseishin[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounmind; spirit; soul; heart; ethos
   我々われわれは精神せいしんを養やしなわなければならない。↗

   We need to nourish our spirit.
2. nounattitude; mentality; will; intention
   日本人にほんじんの精神せいしんはその独特どくとくの風土ふうどに根ねざしている。↗

   It is the particular environment that has shaped the Japanese mentality.
3. nounspirit (of a matter); essence; fundamental significance

• Synonym魂たましいNeutralThe soul thought to dwell in the body; also fighting spirit, as in 「大和魂」. 「精神」 stresses rational mental activity.
• Synonym心こころNeutralThe everyday word for feelings and the heart. 「精神」 is more at home in written prose, stressing will and intellect in contrast to the body.
• Synonym霊れいNeutralThe same word, also written 「霊」「魄」. It can also mean something prized above life itself, as in 「侍の魂」; 「精神」 can mean a thing's essential purpose.
• SynonymスピリットNeutralLoanword for spirit and drive, common in sports and company slogans, e.g. 「チャレンジスピリット」.
• SynonymマインドNeutralLoanword for mindset and awareness, as in 「ビジネスマインド」 or 「消費者マインド」.
• SynonymソウルNeutralLoanword for the soul; mostly in soul music or set phrases like 「ソウルフード」. Rarely used on its own in everyday speech.
• Related心霊しんれいNeutralMostly the occult and the paranormal, as in 「心霊写真」. 「精神」 has no such supernatural coloring.
• Related霊魂れいこんWrittenA formal, written word for the soul as a religious concept, surviving the body's death. 「精神」 means mind and will, or a thing's essential purpose.
• RelatedエスプリWrittenFrench loanword for wit and brilliance; suggests French-style cleverness. Mainly a written word and not often used.
• Related心魂しんこんWrittenOne's whole heart and soul, as in 「心魂を傾ける」. A written word, and not often used.
• Related魂魄こんぱくWrittenA written word for the soul, usually that of the dead; it turns up mainly in ghost stories and classical texts.
• Related精気せいきWrittenA written word for vitality and life energy, as in 「精気がみなぎる」; unlike 「精神」, it puts the stress on vigor.
• Related心意しんいWrittenOne's thoughts and intentions. A rare word of formal prose; 「心」 is the usual choice.
• Antonym肉体にくたいNeutralThe flesh-and-blood body, the opposite of 「精神」 in mind-body dualism, as in 「肉体と精神」.
• Antonym物質ぶっしつNeutralTangible matter, the opposite of 「精神」, as in 「物質的豊かさ」 versus 「精神的豊かさ」.

Use 「精神」 for mind and will set against the body, or for the essential purpose of a thing. For everyday feelings say 「心」; for the soul, 「魂」 or 「霊魂」; for mindset, 「マインド」. 「スピリット」 turns up in sports and company slogans, 「ソウル」 in soul music and food; 「心霊」 is for the paranormal. The opposites are 「肉体」 and 「物質」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 物質ぶっしつ、肉体にくたいに対たいしての心こころ、魂たましい。
2. 知性的ちせいてき、理性的りせいてきな心こころの働はたらき。
3. 根本こんぽんの意味いみ。最もっとも大切たいせつな目標もくひょう。