心灵

• Pinyin: xīn líng
• Hanzi breakdown: 心 = pictograph of the heart; 灵 = 雨 (rain) + 巫 (shaman), originally meaning divine spirit

Meaning

Mind; soul; spirit; heart. The inner emotional and spiritual aspect of a person.

A literary and philosophical term referring to the inner self, emotions, and spirit. Used in discussions of psychology, spirituality, and personal growth. Common collocations: 心灵深处 (depths of the soul), 心灵创伤 (psychological trauma), 心灵鸡汤 (chicken soup for the soul, inspirational content).

Examples

1. 音乐有治愈心灵的力量，能让人暂时忘记烦恼。 Music has the power to heal the soul and can make people temporarily forget their troubles.
2. 这本书触动了很多读者的心灵，成为畅销书。 This book touched the hearts of many readers and became a bestseller.
3. 旅行是让心灵放松的好方式。 Traveling is a good way to relax the mind.

Usage Guide

Context: philosophical, emotional, spiritual, self-help

Tone: reflective

Do Say

• 这是一次心灵之旅。(This is a journey of the soul.)
• 我们要关注学生的心灵健康。(We should pay attention to students' mental health.)

Don't Say

• 我的心灵很饿 — 身体感受不用'心灵'，应该说'我很饿'

Origin & History

Compound of 心 (heart, mind) + 灵 (spirit, soul). Both characters relate to the inner, non-physical aspect of being.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal