頭脳|ずのうzunou[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounhead; brains
   二人ふたりの頭脳ずのうは一人ひとりの頭脳ずのうに勝まさる。↗

   Two heads are better than one.
2. nounintellect; understanding

• Synonym知力ちりょくWrittenWritten word for intellectual power, focusing on the capacity to think and understand; 「頭脳」 can also mean a brilliant person or key planner.
• Synonym知能ちのうNeutralAbility to understand and judge; a psychology-flavored term, as in 「知能指数」 and 「知能が高い」. 「頭脳」 is an everyday word and can also mean a mastermind.
• Synonym知性ちせいNeutralCultivated, rational intelligence with an intellectual air; 「頭脳」 stresses having a sharp mind.
• Synonym才知さいちWrittenWit and intelligence, in formal prose; 「頭脳」 is more common and can also mean a mastermind.
• Synonym知嚢ちのうWrittenWritten word for an adviser, the person who devises plans and strategies for someone; 「頭脳」 can carry this sense too.
• Synonym知的能力ちてきのうりょくWrittenMental faculties; an explanatory, academic-sounding expression. 「頭脳」 is more colloquial and can also mean a brilliant person.
• Related英知えいちWrittenWritten word for profound wisdom, as in 「人類の英知」; 「頭脳」 stresses individual cleverness.
• RelatedブレーンNeutralLoanword for the brains of an operation — advisors or a brain trust; 「頭脳」 stresses mental power itself.
• Related知恵ちえNeutralPractical wisdom and ideas for daily life, as in 「知恵を絞る」; 「頭脳」 stresses intellectual level.
• Related機知きちNeutralQuick, adaptable wit for the moment; 「頭脳」 stresses overall intelligence.
• RelatedウイットNeutralLoanword for wit with a humorous flavor; 「頭脳」 stresses intelligence.
• Related精神せいしんNeutralThe mind or spirit, set against the body; a broad word, whereas 「頭脳」 is about intellect specifically.
• Related才さいNeutralA talent or natural gift, as in 「才がある」, and also a suffix; 「頭脳」 is about the power to think and judge rather than aptitude.
• Related理知りちWrittenReason as opposed to emotion, in formal prose; 「頭脳」 stresses how smart one is.
• RelatedとんちNeutralReady wit or a clever flash of thinking, as in 「一休さんの頓知」.
• Related知ちWrittenWritten word for knowledge and wisdom, mostly in compounds; 「頭脳」 stresses the power to think.

Use 「頭脳」 for a sharp mind, intellect, or an organization's brains, as in 「頭脳明晰」 and 「頭脳流出」. For measured intelligence say 「知能」; for everyday wisdom and ideas, 「知恵」; for quick wit, 「機知」; for advisors or a brain trust, 「ブレーン」. 「精神」 is the mind or spirit as opposed to the body, and 「才」 is talent or gift; the remaining words are mostly written.

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

1. 脳のう。脳髄のうずい。頭あたま。
2. 思考力しこうりょく。判断力はんだんりょく。
3. 組織そしきや団体だんたいなどで中心ちゅうしんとなる人物じんぶつ。首領しゅりょう。