brain
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brain
The organ in the head of humans and vertebrates that serves as the center of the nervous system and is responsible for thinking, feeling, and controlling the body.
Das menschliche Gehirn wiegt durchschnittlich etwa 1,4 Kilogramm.
The human brain weighs about 1.4 kilograms on average.
brains
In a figurative sense, the person who is the intellectual originator or planner behind an action or organization.
Sie gilt als das Gehirn hinter der erfolgreichen Marketingkampagne.
She is considered the brains behind the successful marketing campaign.
In a figurative sense, 'das Gehirn' (the brain/brains) refers to the person who is the intelligent mind or main planner behind an action. It always refers to a person.
Er war das kreative Gehirn des gesamten Projekts.
He was the creative brains of the entire project.
The figurative meaning is very often used in the fixed expression 'das Gehirn hinter etwas (Dativ) sein' (to be the brains behind something).
Die Polizei sucht immer noch nach dem Gehirn hinter dem Banküberfall.
The police are still looking for the brains behind the bank robbery.
There are several idioms with 'Gehirn' (brain) that relate to thinking. Examples include 'sich das Gehirn zermartern' (to rack one's brain) or 'sein Gehirn anstrengen' (to use one's brain / concentrate hard).
Ich muss mein Gehirn wirklich anstrengen, um diese Aufgabe zu lösen.
I really have to use my brain to solve this task.
head
Kopf and Gehirn can both figuratively refer to a thinking person behind a plan. A creative or clever Kopf generally highlights that person's intelligence. The Gehirn behind a plan more clearly refers to the person who developed and planned it intellectually.
Lea ist das Gehirn hinter dem neuen Plan.
Lea is the brains behind the new plan.
Lea ist der kreative Kopf hinter dem neuen Plan.
Lea is the creative mind behind the new plan.
