小心

• Pinyin: xiǎo xīn
• Hanzi breakdown: 小 = small; 心 = pictograph of a heart, representing the mind and emotions

Meaning

Careful; to be careful. Used as a warning or to describe a cautious attitude.

Functions both as an adjective (要小心 — must be careful) and as an exclamation or warning (小心！— Watch out!). Very common in everyday safety reminders. Related expressions include 小心翼翼 (extremely careful, an idiom) and 当心 (another word for 'be careful'). Often used by parents, teachers, and signs.

Examples

1. 过马路的时候要小心。 Be careful when crossing the road.
2. 小心，地上很滑！ Watch out, the floor is very slippery!
3. 你做事要小心一点。 You should be a bit more careful when doing things.

Usage Guide

Context: warnings, safety, daily life

Tone: cautionary

Do Say

• 开车的时候要小心。(Be careful when driving.)
• 小心别摔倒了！(Be careful not to fall!)

Don't Say

• 我很小心高兴 (Don't use 小心 to describe emotions — 小心 means cautious/careful, not 'small-hearted'; it is not about feelings but about being alert)

Origin & History

小 (xiǎo, small) + 心 (xīn, heart). Literally 'small heart' — keeping one's heart small and attentive, i.e. being careful and watchful.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal