踏实

• Pinyin: tā shi
• Hanzi breakdown: 踏 = to step; 实 = solid — stepping on solid ground, i.e., steady and dependable

Meaning

Steady; dependable; down-to-earth; feeling secure. Describes a reliable personality or a sense of inner peace.

Has two related meanings: 1) Personality: 做事踏实 (works steadily and reliably), 踏实肯干 (hardworking and dependable); 2) Emotional state: 心里踏实 (feeling secure/at ease), 睡得踏实 (sleeping soundly). Highly valued in Chinese culture as a positive character trait. Contrasts with 浮躁 (impatient, superficial).

Examples

1. 他做人做事都很踏实，从不好高骛远。 He's very down-to-earth in everything he does and never aims too high.
2. 把作业写完了，我心里才踏实。 I won't feel at ease until I finish my homework.
3. 她是个踏实肯干的员工，深受领导信任。 She's a dependable and hardworking employee, deeply trusted by management.

Usage Guide

Context: personality, work ethic, emotions

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 脚踏实地地工作最重要。(Working with your feet on the ground is most important.)
• 心里不踏实，睡也睡不好。(When you don't feel at ease, you can't sleep well.)

Don't Say

• 形容华而不实的人不用'踏实' (Don't use 踏实 for flashy unreliable people — it means the opposite)

Origin & History

Compound of 踏 (to step on) + 实 (solid, real). Metaphorically 'stepping on solid ground' — reliable and secure.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal