how to say “the human mind” in Hebrew

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/נפש-האדם-1.m4a” /]נֶפֶשׁ הָאָדָם

In English the word mind usually conjures up thought and cognitive processes. But the human mind is more than that: it includes emotions, aspirations, memories. It might even be considered the individual or the soul, which is why Hebrew uses the word נפש[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/נפש-האדם-2.m4a” /] to refer to it.

For example, בריאות הנפש[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/נפש-האדם-3.m4a” /] means mental health – the health of the mind.

Thus while נפש האדם[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/נפש-האדם-1.m4a” /] typically refers to the human soul, it could also be said to refer to the human mind.

For example someone wanting to study psychology might say:

[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/נפש-האדם-4.m4a” /]אני מאוד מעוניין בנפש האדם.

I’m very much interested in the human soul/mind.

Other expressions for the human mind are המוח האנושי[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/נפש-האדם-5.m4a” /] – literally, the human brain, and השכל האנושי[audioclip url=”https://archive.ulpan.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/נפש-האדם-6.m4a” /] – the human intellect.