心里

• Pinyin: xīn lǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 心 = a pictograph of the heart organ; 里 = 田 (field) + 土 (earth), meaning 'inside' or 'village'

Meaning

In one's heart; in one's mind. Refers to inner feelings or thoughts.

Expresses what someone feels or thinks internally. Often used with verbs of feeling or thinking: 心里高兴 (happy inside), 心里想 (thinking to oneself). Differs from 心中 which is more literary. 心里 is the most common everyday form for describing inner states.

Examples

1. 他心里很高兴。 He is very happy inside.
2. 我心里有一个想法。 I have an idea in my mind.
3. 她嘴上没说，但心里不开心。 She didn't say it, but she was unhappy inside.

Usage Guide

Context: feelings, inner thoughts, everyday

Tone: reflective

Do Say

• 我心里很感动。(I feel very touched inside.)
• 你心里在想什么？(What are you thinking about?)

Don't Say

• 把心里和心理搞混 (Don't confuse 心里 in one's heart with 心理 xīnlǐ psychology — they sound the same but 心理 refers to the academic/scientific study of the mind)

Origin & History

心 (xīn, heart) + 里 (lǐ, inside). Literally 'inside the heart' — the internal world of feelings and thoughts.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal