頭|あたまatama[3]odaka (tail-high)

1. nounhead
2. nounhair (on one's head)
   アリスは頭あたまに花はなをさしています。↗

   Alice has a flower in her hair.
3. nounmind; brains; intellect
   私、ケンと付き合つきあってるの。彼かれって、カッコ良よくて優やさしくて、頭あたまもいいの。おまけに、独身どくしんよ！↗

   I'm going with Ken. He is cool, gentle and smart. What's more, he is single!
4. nounleader; chief; boss; captain
5. nountop; tip
6. nounbeginning; start
   トムは先週せんしゅうの頭あたまに車くるまを盗ぬすまれた。↗

   Tom had his car stolen early last week.
7. nounhead; person
8. noundown payment; deposit
9. nountop structural component of a kanji
10. noun, mahjongpair

• Synonym頭部とうぶWrittenWritten term for the head as a body part, used in medical or anatomical contexts, as in 「頭部外傷」; unlike 「頭」 it does not cover mind or hair.
• SynonymヘッドNeutralLoanword for the head of a device or appliance, or for a leader, as in 「ゴルフのヘッド」; 「頭」 is the everyday word.
• Synonym長ちょうWrittenRead 「おさ」: an old-fashioned word for the head of a family or group, as in 「村の長」.
• Related首級しゅきゅうWrittenWritten word for the severed head of an enemy taken in battle, mostly in historical accounts; also figuratively defeating a strong rival, as in 「首級を挙げる」.
• RelatedリーダーNeutralLoanword matching only the leader sense of 「頭」: a person who guides a team, as in 「チームリーダー」.
• Related主任しゅにんNeutralA job title for the person in charge of a task at work, as in 「営業主任」; a title, not a body part.
• Related頭脳ずのうNeutralCovers only the brains-and-intellect sense of 「頭」, as in 「頭脳明晰」 and 「頭脳労働」.
• RelatedトップNeutralLoanword for the top leader of an organization or for first place, as in 「会社のトップ」.
• RelatedチーフNeutralLoanword for the person in charge of a department, as in 「チーフデザイナー」.
• Related親方おやかたNeutralA master craftsman, foreman, or sumo stable master, as in 「大工の親方」; stresses the master-apprentice relationship.
• RelatedおつむCasualRead 「おつむ」: baby talk or a playful word for the head or brains, as in 「おつむが弱い」.
• Relatedお頭おかしらCasualRead 「おかしら」: the boss of a gang of thieves or a fishing crew, with an underworld flavor.
• Related長おさWrittenRead 「おさ」: an old-fashioned word for the head of a family or group, as in 「村の長」.
• Related頭領とうりょうWrittenWritten word for the chief of a band or gang, as in 「盗賊の頭領」, with an old-time flavor.
• Related頭分かしらぶんCasualColloquial word for the leader or boss of a group; rare in modern usage.
• RelatedおおがしらWrittenLeader of a large group, or a large decorative tassel for a pole; not used in everyday speech.
• Related頭顱とうろWrittenWritten word for the skull or head; not used in daily conversation.
• Antonym尻しりCasualAlso written 「尻」: the rear end or last place, as in 「けつから数えて」, opposite the very front that 「頭」 marks.
• Antonym足あしNeutralThe neutral opposite of 「頭」: foot or leg; 「頭から足まで」 means from head to foot.
• AntonymけつCasualRead 「けつ」: vulgar word for the backside, the end of the body opposite 「頭」; also means the rear or last place.

Use 「頭」 by default for the head, hair, or mind. For the head as a body part in medical or anatomical prose pick 「頭部」, and for brains and intellect 「頭脳」. For leaders, 「リーダー」 and 「トップ」 are the everyday choices; 「チーフ」 and 「主任」 name specific posts, 「親方」 a master craftsman, and 「長」 or 「頭領」 have an old-fashioned ring. 「おつむ」 is baby talk. Among the opposites, 「足」 pairs with it in 「頭から足まで」, while 「けつ」 is a crude word for the rear or last place.

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

1. （あたま、かしら）人体じんたいのいただき。動物どうぶつの脳のうが入はいっている部分ぶぶん。
2. （あたま）意味いみ1より転てんじて、動物どうぶつの首くびより上うえの部分ぶぶん。
3. （かしら）組織そしきの長ちょう。