How does a woman’s mind change?―女心(おんなごころ)と秋(あき)の空(そら)

Could you tell me which one I should choose, Ichiro 一郎 or Ken 健?

They say a woman’s mind—especially loving mind toward a man—is changeable like a fall sky.

A fall or autumn is, in Japan, maybe September, October, and November. It’s true the weather is changeable in that season. Fall or autumn is aki 秋(あき).

Persimmon 柿(かき) and a fall sky 秋の空 (あきのそら): There used to be persimmon 柿 (かき) everywhere in Japan. 柿 was to be eaten from the tree; stores didn't sell ones. However, where did persimmon trees 柿の木 (かきのき) go? Now you need to BUY ones at stores.

However, a spring sky is changeable, too. March, April, and May should be spring. Spring is haru 春(はる).

In other places in the world, winter seems more changeable. An English proverb says,

“A woman’s mind and winter wind change often.“

Winter is huyu 冬(ふゆ). And summer is natsu 夏(なつ).

The four seasons shiki 四季(しき) are also called shun-ka-shuu-too 春夏秋冬(しゅんかしゅうとう).

A snowy night 雪の夜 (ゆきのよる)

Let’s get back to the woman’s mind on-na gokoro 女心(おんなごころ).

On-na gokoro-to aki-no sora

女心(おんなごころ)と秋(あき)の空(そら)

This is a proverb which describes a woman’s mind from men’s viewpoint.

Literally it means “a woman’s mind and a fall sky.” In the proverb, “change often” is omitted.

A long time ago, however, a man’s mind seemed to be at issue more than a woman’s.

So they say

Otoko-no kokoro-to aki-no sora-wa ichiya-ni nana-do kawa-ru

He may have changed his mind for the 7th. time overnight.

男(おとこ)の心(こころ)と秋(あき)の空(そら)は一夜(いちや)に七度(ななど)変わる(かわる)

A man’s mind and a fall sky change seven times overnight.

This statement is stronger. It seems that the proverb was originally a reprimand of a wife for her husband.

English also says,

“The hearts of men change as the seasons.”

Kokoro 心(こころ) is used for many expressions. Let’s see some of them as follows.

kokoro-ga ugo-ku

心(こころ)が動く(うごく)

A force has changed your feelings and point of view, and has driven you to do something.

Yes, I'm going to be group leader 班長 (はんちょう).

● みんなに班長(はんちょう)になるよう一生懸命(いっしょうけんめい)に頼まれた(たのまれた)ので、つい心(こころ)が動いて(うごいて)引き受けて(ひきうけて)しまった。 (Min-na-ni hanchoo-ni na-ru-yoo-ni is-shoo-kem-mei-ni tanoma-re-ta-no-de, tsu-i kokoro-ga ugo-i-te hiki-uke-te shimat-ta.)

Everybody asked me to be the group leader so eagerly that I changed my mind and accepted the role.

kokoro-ga komo-ru

心(こころ)がこもる

こもる is to have something inside. When something done shows your thought, heart, or loving care, etc., the thing you did was 心(こころ)がこもる.

You're my encouragement. あなたが勇気 (ゆうき) づけてくれました。

● どんな高価(こうか)な贈り物(おくりもの)より、あなたの心(こころ)がこもった一言(ひとこと)は、わたしを勇気づけて(ゆうきづけて)くれた。(Don-na kooka-na oku-ri-mono-yori, anata-no kokoro-ga komot-ta hitokoto-wa, watashi-o yuuki-zuke-te-kure-ta.)

Your heartfelt word was the better encouragement to me than any other expensive gift.

kokoro-ni kake-ru

心(こころ)にかける

Never to forget to worry something or somebody

● 先生(せんせい)は、体(からだ)の弱(よわ)いわたしをいつも心(こころ)にかけてくださいます。(Sensee-wa, karada-no yowa-i watashi-o itsumo kokoro-ni ka-ke-te, kudasa-i-ma-su.)

I am physically weak, and the teacher never fails to worry about me.

kokoro-ni noko-ru

心(こころ)に残る(のこる)

You’re impressed by something that you can’t forget.

笑顔 (えがお): a smiling face

● 卒業(そつぎょう)した後(あと)も、太田(おおた)先生(せんせい)の明るい(あかるい)笑顔(えがお)が心(こころ)に残って(のこって)いる。(Sotsugyoo-shita ato-mo, Oota sensee-no akaru-i egao-ga kokoro-ni nokot-te-i-ru.)

Even after graduation, the cheerful smiling face of Ms. Oota remains on my mind.

kokoro-o oni-ni suru

心(こころ)を鬼(おに)にする

This is the typical image of a Japanese 鬼 (おに).

鬼(おに) is a Draco. You’ll be afraid of the Draco. Someone behaves in a Draconian manner but feels sorry for you at the same time. This is when 心(こころ)を鬼(おに)にする.

● 父(ちち)は心(こころ)を鬼(おに)にして、わがままな妹(いもうと)をしかりつけていた。(Chichi-wa kokoro-o oni-ni-shi-te, wagamama-na imooto-o shikari-tsuke-te-i-ta.)

Trying to behave in a Draconian manner, my father scolded my disobedient sister.

kokoro-atari

心当たり(こころあたり)

To have an idea about something.

● 「彼女(かのじょ)がどこにいるのか、心当たり(こころあたり)がありませんか？」 (Kanojo-ga doko-ni i-ru-no-ka, kokoro-atari-ga arima-sen-ka?)

Do you have any idea where she is?

心 (こころ) 当 (あ) たりがありません。I have no idea.

kokoro-shite

心(こころ)して

This is an adverb: with care, caution, thoughtfulness.

● 心して取り掛かってください。 (Kokoro-shite tori-kakat-te kudasai.)

Get to work with caution.

kokoro-kubari

心配り(こころくばり)

＝kokoro-zukai

心遣い(こころづかい)

To take care and do various things, thinking much of somebody

何 (なん) でもお申 (もう) し付 (つ) けください。I'll be at your service.

● いろいろお心配り(こころくばり)ありがとうございます。 (Iroiro o-kokoro-kubari arigatoo gozaima-su.)

I appreciate you giving it much consideration.

kokoro-zuyo-i

心強い(こころづよい)

To feel secure in the knowledge that you can count on somebody or something

● あなたがいてくれると心強い(こころづよい)です。 (Anata-ga i-te kure-ru-to kokoro-zuyo-i-de-su.)

I feel secure to have you for company.

kokoro-boso-i

心細い(こころぼそい)

To feel insecure

Shibuya 渋谷 (しぶや) is one of the most popular tourists' destinations in Japan.

● 知らない(しらない)人(ひと)ばかりで心細かった(こころぼそかった)。 (Shira-na-i hito bakari-de kokoro-boso-kat-ta.)

I felt insecure, not knowing anybody,

kokoro-yu-ku

心行く(こころゆく)

To feel happy and satisfied

● 心行く(こころゆく)までおくつろぎください。 (Kokoro-yu-ku-made o-kutsuro-gui kuda-sa-i.)

Please make yourself at home to the fullest.

They say Okinawa 沖縄 (おきなわ) has one of the clearest oceans in the world.