相信

• Pinyin: xiāng xìn
• Hanzi breakdown: 相 = 木 (tree) + 目 (eye), meaning 'to observe'; 信 = 亻(person) + 言 (speech), meaning 'trust/believe'

Meaning

To believe; to trust. Having confidence in the truth of something or someone.

Can express belief in a fact (我相信他说的话) or trust in a person (我相信你). Often used in encouraging contexts: 我相信你能做到 (I believe you can do it). Stronger than 觉得 (to think/feel).

Examples

1. 我相信你说的话。 I believe what you said.
2. 你要相信自己。 You should believe in yourself.
3. 他不相信这件事是真的。 He doesn't believe this is true.

Usage Guide

Context: trust, encouragement, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我相信你一定能成功。(I believe you will definitely succeed.)
• 请相信我。(Please trust me.)

Don't Say

• 用相信代替知道 (Don't use 相信 when you mean 知道 — 相信 implies faith or trust, while 知道 states certain knowledge)

Origin & History

相 (xiāng, mutual) + 信 (xìn, trust/believe). Literally 'to mutually trust' — evolved to mean general belief or trust.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal