心声

• Pinyin: xīn shēng
• Hanzi breakdown: 心 = heart (pictograph); 声 = 耳 + 殳 (sound reaching the ear)

Meaning

Innermost feelings; heartfelt voice. What one truly feels or wishes but does not always express openly.

Common in literature, speeches, and personal expression. Often used to describe the unspoken wishes or emotions of a group or individual.

Examples

1. 这首歌唱出了无数离乡游子的心声。 This song gives voice to the feelings of countless people living far from home.
2. 她的发言代表了全体员工的心声。 Her remarks expressed what all the employees truly felt.
3. 他终于鼓起勇气，向父母说出了埋藏已久的心声。 He finally worked up the courage to tell his parents what he had kept buried in his heart for so long.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, personal expression, public speech

Tone: emotional

Do Say

• 代表普通市民的心声，他在听证会上发表了动情的陈述。(Representing the heartfelt voice of ordinary citizens, he delivered an emotional statement at the public hearing.)
• 这篇文章道出了许多年轻创业者共同的心声，引发了广泛共鸣。(This article articulated the heartfelt sentiments shared by many young entrepreneurs, sparking widespread resonance.)

Don't Say

• 他的心声很大 — 心声 refers to innermost feelings, not volume; say 声音很大 for 'loud voice'

Origin & History

心 (heart/mind) + 声 (voice/sound)

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal