死心塌地

• Pinyin: sǐ xīn tā dì
• Hanzi breakdown: 死 = 歹 + 匕 — death; 心 = pictograph — heart; 塌 = 土 (earth) + 塌 — to collapse; 地 = 土 + 也 — ground, earth

Meaning

Utterly devoted; wholeheartedly committed with no intention of turning back. Describes an absolute, unwavering dedication to a person, cause, or course of action.

Can carry either a positive nuance (devoted loyalty) or a slightly negative one (stubbornly committed to something regardless of consequences). Often used to describe someone who has given their complete emotional allegiance — to a leader, a lover, or an ideology — and will not be persuaded otherwise. More vivid and colloquial than simply 坚定.

Examples

1. 她对这份事业死心塌地，即便面临重重困境也从未动摇过退出的念头。 She is utterly devoted to this career; even in the face of countless difficulties, she has never wavered in her resolve to stay.
2. 他跟随这位导师已有十年，可谓死心塌地，无论外界如何评价都毫不动摇。 He has followed this mentor for ten years and is completely loyal—no matter how outsiders judge it, he remains unmoved.
3. 这批追随者对领袖死心塌地，即便政策屡屡失误，他们也始终坚持为其辩护。 These followers are unwaveringly devoted to their leader; even when policies fail again and again, they still insist on defending him.

Usage Guide

Context: loyalty, relationships, ideology, colloquial

Tone: emphatic

Do Say

• 他对公司的发展目标死心塌地，哪怕个人短期利益受损，也始终以集体的长远利益为优先。(He is wholeheartedly committed to the company's development goals — even when his personal short-term interests suffer, he consistently prioritises the long-term interests of the group.)
• 她死心塌地地爱着他，无论旁人怎样劝阻，都无法改变她坚守这段感情的决心。(She loves him with utter devotion; no matter how others try to dissuade her, nothing can change her resolve to hold on to this relationship.)

Don't Say

• 不要将 死心塌地 与 死心 混淆 — 死心 指放弃希望，而 死心塌地 指毫无保留地投入或忠于某人某事，含义截然相反

Origin & History

死心 (heart that has died to alternatives) + 塌地 (collapsed to the ground, completely) — heart fully sunken to the ground; utterly and irreversibly committed

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal