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心里话 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
心里话xīnlihuà(to express one's) true feelingsHSK 7, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #14070, Very Hard
心里话xīnlihuàwhat is on one's mindHSK 7, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #14070, Very Hard
心里话xīnlihuàsecret mindHSK 7, unknown, 19 strokes, rank #14070, Very Hard
xīnlihuà(xin1li5hua4)xin li hua T1
  1. 1(to express one's) true feelings
  2. 2what is on one's mind
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March 24, 2026

心里话(心裡話)xīnlihuà(xin1li5hua4)

心里话 refers to the true feelings or thoughts that someone harbors inside but may not openly express. It is often used when someone shares their innermost thoughts or emotions, typically in a candid or intimate context, such as in close friendships or romantic relationships.

Strokes19Frequency#14070DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, sharing 心里话 is a way to strengthen relationships, as it emphasizes openness and trust. This practice is often seen in close friendships or romantic encounters, reflecting the value placed on emotional honesty.

Memory tip

Think of 心 (heart) and 里 (inside) combining to represent 'what's in the heart.' You can imagine a heart that is filled with secrets and emotions, which can only be revealed through spoken words (话). To remember the pronunciation, associate 'xin' with 'seeing' into someone's heart.

Meanings of 心里话

xīnlihuà(xin1li5hua4)
1(to express one's) true feelings
2what is on one's mind
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About 心里话

心里话Simplified
心裡話Traditional
19Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 心里话

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Podcast: 心里话

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AI study notes for 心里话

Quick Contrast

真心话 (zhēnxīnhuà) - use 心里话 when emphasizing thoughts kept inside; use 真心话 when focusing on sincere spoken words.

Usage Notes

This phrase is often used in informal settings, so be cautious when using it in formal situations. A common mistake is to confuse it with the word for 'opinion' (意见), which is less personal. It's best used when discussing personal feelings rather than general thoughts.

HSK Study Tips

While 心里话 may not be specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects to emotional vocabulary and expressions. Students should focus on the use of emotions in conversations, as this phrase helps build a more nuanced understanding of expressing feelings.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is to use 心里话 when describing someone’s opinion or suggestion, which is more accurately expressed with 意见 (yì jiàn). For example, saying '他的心里话是我觉得这样' (His true feelings are I think this way) is incorrect; it should be '他的意见是我觉得这样'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 心里话

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Component characters

心xīnheart
HSK 44 strokes心
View full entry
里lǐlining
HSK 17 strokes里
View full entry
话huàspoken words
HSK 18 strokes讠
View full entry

How to say (to express one's) true feelings in Chinese

“(to express one's) true feelings” in Chinese is心里话xīnlihuà

心里话 refers to the true feelings or thoughts that someone harbors inside but may not openly express. It is often used when someone shares their innermost thoughts or emotions, typically in a candid or intimate context, such as in close friendships or romantic relationships.

When to use 心里话

This phrase is often used in informal settings, so be cautious when using it in formal situations. A common mistake is to confuse it with the word for 'opinion' (意见), which is less personal. It's best used when discussing personal feelings rather than general thoughts.

心里话 or something close to it

真心话 (zhēnxīnhuà) - use 心里话 when emphasizing thoughts kept inside; use 真心话 when focusing on sincere spoken words.

What learners get wrong

A common mistake is to use 心里话 when describing someone’s opinion or suggestion, which is more accurately expressed with 意见 (yì jiàn). For example, saying '他的心里话是我觉得这样' (His true feelings are I think this way) is incorrect; it should be '他的意见是我觉得这样'.

Write 心里话

心
里
话

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Cultural Notes for 心里话

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, expressing one's true feelings can sometimes be viewed as a sign of vulnerability, while in Chinese culture, it can be seen as a way to deepen connections.

Frequently asked questions about 心里话

You can say: '我想和你说我的心里话' (I want to share my true feelings with you).

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