意识

• Pinyin: yì shí
• Hanzi breakdown: 意 = 音 (sound) + 心 (heart) — intention; 识 = 讠 (speech) + 戠 — to know

Meaning

Consciousness; awareness; to be aware of. The state of being mentally aware, or the act of recognizing something.

As a noun, refers to consciousness or awareness: 环保意识 (environmental awareness), 安全意识 (safety awareness). As a verb, means to become aware of or realize: 意识到 (to realize/be aware of).

Examples

1. 他意识到自己犯了一个严重的错误。 He realized he had made a serious mistake.
2. 现代人的健康意识越来越强。 Modern people's health awareness is getting stronger.
3. 病人失去意识被送进了急救室。 The patient lost consciousness and was sent to the emergency room.

Usage Guide

Context: psychology, awareness, realization

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 你意识到问题了吗？(Are you aware of the problem?)
• 我们要提高安全意识。(We need to raise safety awareness.)

Don't Say

• 说'我意识你'表示注意到你 (Don't say 我意识你 — say 我注意到你 or 我意识到你在那里; 意识 as a verb needs 到)

Origin & History

意 (idea, meaning, intention) + 识 (to know, to recognize). Together meaning mental awareness or cognition.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal