Meanings of 心
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About 心
Podcast: 心
Podcast: 心
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AI Study Notes for 心
心 (xīn) vs 意 (yì) — use 心 for emotional or physical heart contexts, while 意 refers to intention or thought.
Imagine a heart shape representing both emotions and thoughts. The character 心 looks like a heart turned sideways. Think of it as the 'core' of your feelings and intentions, with 'xīn' sounding like 'scene,' where your heart plays a significant role in what you perceive.
心 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious not to confuse it with similar characters. Common collocations include 心情 (xīnqíng - mood) and 心里 (xīnlǐ - in one's heart). Remember that the tone is crucial; using the wrong tone could change the meaning entirely.
Though not part of the HSK vocabulary list, 心 is foundational for understanding many compound words related to feelings and thoughts. Students should pay attention to phrases that contain this character, as they frequently appear in everyday conversation.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the heart is seen as the center of emotional and spiritual health, emphasizing the importance of emotional well-being in overall health. This belief underscores the character's significance in daily life.
Learners often confuse 心 (xīn) with other similar-sounding words like 新 (xīn - new). For instance, saying '我心的衣服' when they mean '我的新衣服' (wǒ de xīn yīfú - my new clothes) is incorrect.
Pronunciation of 心
Drill the tone of 心 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 心
Pictograph of a heart.
A heart
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 心?
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Practice writing 心 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 心
心 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
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小____！
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Example Sentences for 心 (10)
Cultural Notes for 心
In traditional Chinese medicine, the heart is seen as the center of emotional and spiritual health, emphasizing the importance of emotional well-being in overall health. This belief underscores the character's significance in daily life.
Word Family of 心
Compound Meaning
What does 想 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 心
You can use 心 in sentences like '我心里很高兴' (Wǒ xīn lǐ hěn gāoxìng - I am very happy in my heart).