存心

• Pinyin: cún xīn
• Hanzi breakdown: 存 = 子 + 才 (exist/harbor); 心 = 心 (heart)

Meaning

To harbor intentions; deliberately; intentionally. As an adverb, on purpose.

Usually implies negative intentionality, suggesting someone is acting with hidden or malicious motives. The adverbial use emphasizes that an action was premeditated rather than accidental.

Examples

1. 他存心想让我出丑。 He did it on purpose to embarrass me.
2. 这分明是存心刁难人嘛。 This is clearly just deliberate harassment.
3. 你是不是存心跟我作对。 Are you doing this on purpose to go against me?

Usage Guide

Context: accusations, conflicts, suspicions

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 他存心要破坏我们的计划。(He deliberately intends to sabotage our plan.)
• 你是存心气我还是怎么的。(Are you deliberately trying to anger me or what.)

Don't Say

• 他存心帮助我 — 存心 usually implies negative intent; use 真心 for sincere positive intentions

Origin & History

存 (harbor) + 心 (heart/intention)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal