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心急如焚 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
心急如焚xīnjírúfén(idiom) burning with anxiety; extremely anxious or impatientHSK 7, unknown, 31 strokes, rank #36448, Very Hard
xīnjírúfén(xin1ji2ru2fen2)xin ji ru fen T1
  1. 1(idiom) burning with anxiety; extremely anxious or impatient
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March 24, 2026

心急如焚xīnjírúfén(xin1ji2ru2fen2)

心急如焚 (xīn jí rú fén) is an idiom that describes a state of extreme anxiety or impatience, as if one's heart is burning with urgency. This expression is often used to convey the feeling of being unable to wait for something, particularly concerning important matters or emergencies.

Strokes31Frequency#36448DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of patience is often emphasized, and this idiom reflects the intensity of emotions tied to anticipation. It can often be used in contexts like waiting for exam results or medical news, where anxiety is high.

Memory tip

Imagine your heart (心) is on fire (焚), creating a sense of urgency (急). Visualize yourself pacing back and forth, feeling the heat of anxiety as you await important news. This vivid imagery connects the components of the idiom to its meaning.

Meanings of 心急如焚

xīnjírúfén(xin1ji2ru2fen2)
1(idiom) burning with anxiety; extremely anxious or impatient
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About 心急如焚

心急如焚Simplified
31Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 心急如焚

Usage Notes

This idiom is typically used in both spoken and written contexts, especially when discussing emotional states. A common mistake is to use it too casually; it is best reserved for serious situations. Pay attention to the tone and context to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

HSK Study Tips

While this idiom may not be included in the HSK, understanding it can enhance your vocabulary, particularly for HSK Level 4 and above. Focus on the components of the phrase, as they can help you grasp similar idiomatic expressions in Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misinterpret the idiom as simply meaning 'worried' without recognizing the intensity of urgency. For example, saying '我心急如焚因为我担心考试' (I am anxious because I worry about the exam) misses the urgency; it's better to say '我心急如焚在等待考试结果.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 心急如焚

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Idiom spotlight: 心急如焚

Chengyu origin story
Literal meaning:heart anxious like burning

Component characters

心xīnheart
HSK 44 strokes心
View full entry
急jíurgent
HSK 39 strokes心
View full entry
如rúas
HSK 56 strokes女
View full entry
焚fénto burn
12 strokes火
View full entry

How to say (idiom) burning with anxiety; extremely anxious or impatient in Chinese

“(idiom) burning with anxiety; extremely anxious or impatient” in Chinese is心急如焚xīnjírúfén

心急如焚 (xīn jí rú fén) is an idiom that describes a state of extreme anxiety or impatience, as if one's heart is burning with urgency. This expression is often used to convey the feeling of being unable to wait for something, particularly concerning important matters or emergencies.

When to use 心急如焚

This idiom is typically used in both spoken and written contexts, especially when discussing emotional states. A common mistake is to use it too casually; it is best reserved for serious situations. Pay attention to the tone and context to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misinterpret the idiom as simply meaning 'worried' without recognizing the intensity of urgency. For example, saying '我心急如焚因为我担心考试' (I am anxious because I worry about the exam) misses the urgency; it's better to say '我心急如焚在等待考试结果.'

Write 心急如焚

心
急
如
焚

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Cultural Notes for 心急如焚

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, while anxiety and urgency are recognized, the metaphor of 'burning' may not be as commonly used; expressions often focus more on 'nervousness' or 'stress' without the vivid imagery.

Frequently asked questions about 心急如焚

It's best used in more serious contexts, as it conveys a strong emotional state.

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