Meanings of 良心
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About 良心
Podcast: 良心
Podcast: 良心
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AI Study Notes for 良心
良知 (liángzhī) - use 良心 when emphasizing moral conscience, while 良知 focuses more on knowledge of good and evil.
Learners may confuse 良心 with similar concepts like 道德 (dàodé, morality) or 良好 (liánghǎo, good), which refer to broader ethical standards. It is typically used in more formal contexts, especially in discussions of ethics and morality, so be mindful of register when using it.
As an HSK Level 6 word, 良心 connects to other advanced concepts of morality and ethics. Students should focus on its contextual usage in literature and philosophy, as well as its collocations with words like '受良心谴责' (shòu liáng xīn qiǎnzé, to be condemned by one's conscience).
Learners often mistakenly use 良心 to refer to general feelings or emotions, which is incorrect. For example, saying '我有良心的感觉' (wǒ yǒu liáng xīn de gǎnjué, I have a feeling of conscience) should simply be '我觉得良心不安' (wǒ juédé liáng xīn bù ān, I feel guilty).
Pronunciation of 良心
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Component Characters
How to say conscience in Chinese
“conscience” in Chinese is良心
良心 (liáng xīn) refers to a person's conscience, the inner sense of right and wrong that guides behavior. It is often used in discussions about morality, ethics, and personal integrity, highlighting the importance of self-reflection in one's actions.
When to use 良心
Learners may confuse 良心 with similar concepts like 道德 (dàodé, morality) or 良好 (liánghǎo, good), which refer to broader ethical standards. It is typically used in more formal contexts, especially in discussions of ethics and morality, so be mindful of register when using it.
良心 or something close to it
良知 (liángzhī) - use 良心 when emphasizing moral conscience, while 良知 focuses more on knowledge of good and evil.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 良心 to refer to general feelings or emotions, which is incorrect. For example, saying '我有良心的感觉' (wǒ yǒu liáng xīn de gǎnjué, I have a feeling of conscience) should simply be '我觉得良心不安' (wǒ juédé liáng xīn bù ān, I feel guilty).
Write 良心
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Grammar Patterns of 良心
良心 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
我已经本着____将危险告知他们。
I have been scrupulous about telling them the dangers.
Example Sentences for 良心 (2)
Cultural Notes for 良心
While both Western and Chinese cultures recognize the concept of conscience, Western discussions often emphasize individualism, whereas Chinese perspectives may focus more on collective ethics and familial obligations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 良心
You can say '他有良心' (tā yǒu liáng xīn), which means 'He has a conscience.'
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