定心丸

• Pinyin: dìng xīn wán
• Hanzi breakdown: 定 = 宀 + 正 (to settle, calm); 心 = pictograph of a heart (heart, mind, feelings); 丸 = 九 + 丶 (pill, pellet — small round object)

Meaning

Reassurance; a source of comfort that removes anxiety or doubt. Literally a 'heart-steadying pill' — something that calms worries and instils confidence.

A vivid colloquial metaphor. When someone 'gives' or 'takes' a 定心丸, they receive or provide the reassurance needed to dispel anxiety. Commonly used when a leader or authority figure offers clarity, promises, or guarantees to anxious parties.

Examples

1. 领导的一番话给员工们吃了一颗定心丸，大家悬着的心终于放了下来。 The leader’s remarks reassured the employees, and everyone finally felt their tension ease.
2. 政府宣布的补贴政策是对农民的一颗定心丸，有效稳定了种植者的预期与信心。 The government’s subsidy policy was a reassuring signal for farmers, effectively stabilizing growers’ expectations and confidence.
3. 她在面试前收到了主考官发来的积极反馈，这无疑是一颗及时的定心丸。 Before her interview, she received positive feedback from the examiner, which was undoubtedly timely reassurance.

Usage Guide

Context: emotions, reassurance, workplace, politics, colloquial

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 董事长亲自出席发布会，给市场和投资者吃了一颗定心丸，股价随即回升。(The chairman personally attended the press conference, reassuring the market and investors — the share price promptly recovered.)
• 医生详细解释了病情和治疗方案，这对焦虑的患者家属来说无异于一颗定心丸。(The doctor explained the condition and treatment plan in detail — for the anxious patient's family, this was nothing short of a reassuring pill.)

Don't Say

• 他吃了一颗真正的定心丸 — unless explicitly referring to traditional Chinese medicine, this will sound confusing; 定心丸 is almost always used figuratively; specify 中药 if you mean a literal herbal pill

Origin & History

定心 (settle/calm the heart) + 丸 (pill/ball)

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal