頭(あたま)を柔(やわ)らかくする

あたまをやわらかくする

expression

to think flexibly; to keep an open mind

1. to think flexibly; to keep an open mind; to loosen up one's thinking

To make one's thinking more flexible and open to new ideas, rather than being rigid or stuck in fixed patterns. Often used as encouragement to approach problems creatively.

頭(あたま)を柔(やわ)らかくして考(かんが)えよう。

Let's think about it with an open mind.

このクイズは頭(あたま)を柔(やわ)らかくしないと解(と)けない。

You can't solve this quiz without thinking flexibly.

年(とし)を取(と)ると頭(あたま)が固(かた)くなりがちだから、意識的(いしきてき)に頭(あたま)を柔(やわ)らかくする努力(どりょく)が必要(ひつよう)だ。

As we age, our thinking tends to become rigid, so we need to make a conscious effort to stay mentally flexible.

A metaphorical expression where 頭(あたま) (head) represents thinking style and 柔(やわ)らかい (soft, flexible) represents openness and adaptability. The opposite expression is 頭(あたま)が固(かた)い (to be rigid in one's thinking; to be stubborn).

Commonly used in educational and creative contexts — puzzle books and brain teasers in Japan often use the phrase 頭(あたま)を柔(やわ)らかくする as part of their marketing.

Common patterns

頭(あたま)を柔(やわ)らかくして〜する: to do ~ with flexible thinking
頭(あたま)が柔(やわ)らかい: to be a flexible thinker
頭(あたま)が固(かた)い: to be rigid/stubborn in thinking (opposite)

Similar words

柔軟(じゅうなん)に考(かんが)える: to think flexibly — a more formal equivalent
発想(はっそう)を変(か)える: to change one's way of thinking — focuses on shifting perspective
視野(しや)を広(ひろ)げる: to broaden one's horizons — emphasizes expanding scope rather than flexibility

Related Words

Compare: 視野(しや)を広(ひろ)げる (to broaden one's horizons)

general

Added 2026.4.28 0:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

25500/25852_atamawoyawarakakusuru