心脏

• Pinyin: xīn zàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 心 = pictograph of the heart; 脏 = 月 (flesh) + 庄 (village/solemn), meaning internal organ

Meaning

Heart. The organ that pumps blood through the body.

The anatomical/medical term for heart. Also used metaphorically for the center or most important part of something: 城市的心脏 (the heart of the city). Related terms: 心脏病 (heart disease), 心脏手术 (heart surgery).

Examples

1. 人的心脏每分钟大约跳动七十次左右。 The human heart beats about seventy times per minute.
2. 他做了一个心脏支架手术，现在恢复得不错。 He had a heart stent surgery and is recovering well now.
3. 这个广场被称为城市的心脏，是最繁华的地段。 This square is called the heart of the city and is the most prosperous area.

Usage Guide

Context: medical, anatomy, metaphorical

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 心脏是人体最重要的器官之一。(The heart is one of the body's most important organs.)
• 她心脏不太好。(Her heart isn't very good.)

Don't Say

• 我的心脏很高兴 — 表达情感用'心'或'心情'，心脏专指器官

Origin & History

Compound of 心 (heart) + 脏 (internal organ). 脏 here is read zàng (organ), not zāng (dirty).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal