在乎

• Pinyin: zài hu
• Hanzi breakdown: 在 = 土 (earth) + 才 (talent), to exist or be present; 乎 = classical emphatic particle, here used as a suffix

Meaning

To care about; to mind; to take to heart. To be emotionally invested in or concerned about something.

Often used in negative form: 不在乎 means not to care, to be indifferent. 很在乎 means to care deeply. The object of 在乎 is usually a person, relationship, opinion, or outcome. More emotional than 关心, which means to show concern in a general or practical sense.

Examples

1. 他根本不在乎别人怎么看自己，只按照自己认为对的方式去做。 He doesn't care at all what others think of him — he just does what he believes is right.
2. 她非常在乎这段友谊，不希望因为一点小事就让关系变得疏远。 She cares deeply about this friendship and doesn't want a trivial matter to make the relationship distant.
3. 老人说，他最在乎的不是金钱，而是子女的平安和健康。 The elderly man said that what he cares about most is not money, but the safety and health of his children.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, emotional

Tone: personal

Do Say

• 我真的很在乎你的感受。(I really do care about your feelings.)
• 他假装不在乎，其实心里已经很难受了。(He pretended not to care, but in reality he was already very upset inside.)

Don't Say

• 将'在乎'和'关心'完全等同 (Don't treat 在乎 and 关心 as identical — 在乎 focuses on emotional attachment and minding something personally, while 关心 is broader and can include practical concern or looking after someone)

Origin & History

A compound of 在 (to be at/in; 土 earth + 才 talent) and 乎 (a classical particle of emphasis or question, here functioning as a verbal suffix indicating engagement with something). Together they convey the idea of one's heart dwelling on something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal