决心

• Pinyin: jué xīn
• Hanzi breakdown: 决 = 冫(ice) + 夬 (to part), meaning to decide; 心 = pictograph of a heart, meaning heart or mind

Meaning

Determination; to be determined. The firm resolve to do something, or the act of making up one's mind.

As a noun, 决心 means determination or resolution. As a verb pattern (下决心 or 决心 + verb), it means to make a firm decision or resolve to do something. Implies strong willpower and commitment, used for significant life decisions rather than casual choices.

Examples

1. 她下了决心要学好中文。 She made up her mind to learn Chinese well.
2. 只要有决心，什么困难都能克服。 As long as you have determination, you can overcome any difficulty.
3. 他决心明年参加马拉松比赛。 He is determined to participate in a marathon next year.

Usage Guide

Context: motivation, goals, conversation

Tone: determined

Do Say

• 我已经下了决心，不会改变了。(I've made up my mind. I won't change it.)
• 有决心的人最后都会成功。(People with determination will succeed in the end.)

Don't Say

• 我决心了去吃火锅。(Don't use 决心 for casual everyday choices — use 决定 instead for simple decisions)

Origin & History

Compound of 决 (to decide, to break through) and 心 (heart, mind). Together they mean the heart has made its decision — firm resolve.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal