In recent years, the study of metaphor within Kazakh and Mongolian linguistics has been actively developed through the methodological framework of cognitive linguistics, which is based on the human-centered paradigm. According to linguistic research, human cognitive abilities such as analogy and association activate metaphorical mechanisms, thereby generating new knowledge.

From the anthropocentric perspective, anthropomorphic metaphors play a crucial role in constructing the mental model of the world. Therefore, this paper aims to explain the theoretical understanding of metaphor and anthropomorphic metaphor, focusing on the cognitive model of metaphors derived from the word “head” and their similarities and differences in Kazakh and Mongolian languages. The study is based on modern linguistic works that explore the structure and function of metaphor.

When humans perceive and name the world around them, they follow a human-dimensional principle, and metaphor becomes a key cognitive tool in this process. The process of understanding the world begins with self-understanding. Objects and phenomena of the real world are often associated with human forms and characteristics. This study, therefore, seeks to compare and interpret the characteristics and common features of metaphors derived from the word “head” in Kazakh and Mongolian as an example of such associative thinking.

The process of perceiving and naming new objects and phenomena is grounded in prior experience and knowledge. Since the human body is one of the earliest concepts recognized by humankind, the names of body parts can be considered fundamental units of vocabulary. Metaphors derived from body parts reflect the linguistic worldview of a people. However, detailed studies on the anthropomorphic expressions of cultural concepts remain scarce. This research, therefore, attempts to compare such expressions in Kazakh and Mongolian, contributing to the development of anthropocentric linguistics.