脳裏(のうり)

のうり
noun
one's mind; the back of one's mind
1. one's mind; the back of one's mind; the mind's eye
The inner part of the mind where thoughts, images, and memories reside. Used when describing something that comes to mind, stays in one's thoughts, or flashes through one's consciousness.
あの光景(こうけい)が脳裏(のうり)に浮(う)かぶ。
That scene comes to mind.
彼女(かのじょ)の言葉(ことば)が脳裏(のうり)から離(はな)れない。
Her words won't leave my mind.
事故(じこ)の瞬間(しゅんかん)、家族(かぞく)の顔(かお)が脳裏(のうり)をよぎった。
At the moment of the accident, my family's faces flashed through my mind.
あの日(ひ)の記憶(きおく)は今(いま)でも鮮明(せんめい)に脳裏(のうり)に焼(や)き付(つ)いている。
The memories of that day are still vividly burned into my mind.

A literary word for the inner part of the mind, used especially when describing vivid images, memories, or thoughts that arise involuntarily. More literary than 頭(あたま) or 心(こころ) in this context.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 脳裏(のうり)に浮(う)かぶ: to come to mind
  • 脳裏(のうり)をよぎる: to flash through one's mind
  • 脳裏(のうり)に焼(や)き付(つ)く: to be seared into one's mind
  • 脳裏(のうり)から離(はな)れない: to not leave one's mind

REGISTER:
A somewhat literary or formal word. In everyday conversation, 頭(あたま)に浮(う)かぶ or 思(おも)い出(だ)す would be more natural. 脳裏(のうり) is common in novels, essays, and formal narration.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 頭(あたま): head, mind — everyday equivalent
  • 脳(のう)裏(うら): same word, alternative reading (less common)
  • 心(こころ): heart, mind — emphasizes emotions rather than mental images
general
Added 2026.4.1 5:15
21000/21111_nouri