放心

• Pinyin: fàng xīn
• Hanzi breakdown: 放 (fàng) — to release, to put; 心 (xīn) — heart, mind

Meaning

To feel at ease; to rest assured. Used to reassure someone or express that there is no need to worry.

Very commonly used as a standalone reassurance, equivalent to 'Don't worry' in English. Can function as a verb (我放心了) or an imperative (你放心). Often heard from parents, teachers, and friends.

Examples

1. 你放心，我会照顾好自己。 Don't worry — I'll take good care of myself.
2. 听到这个消息，妈妈终于放心了。 After hearing the news, Mom was finally relieved.
3. 放心吧，考试不会太难。 Relax — the exam won't be too hard.

Usage Guide

Context: reassurance, family, everyday

Tone: reassuring, warm

Do Say

• 你放心，一切都会好的。(Don't worry — everything will be fine.)
• 有我在，你放心吧。(I'm here — you can rest easy.)

Don't Say

• 不要对正在经历严重问题的人轻易说'放心' — it may sound dismissive if someone has a serious concern (Don't casually say 放心 to someone dealing with a real crisis).

Origin & History

Compound of 放 (to release) and 心 (heart, mind). Literally 'release the heart' — to let one's mind be at ease.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal