在意

• Pinyin: zài yì
• Hanzi breakdown: 在 = to be present/exist; 意 = 音 + 心 (mind/intent/feeling)

Meaning

To mind; to care about; to attach importance to something. To give weight or emotional attention to something, particularly the opinions or reactions of others.

Frequently used in negative constructions (不在意 — not to care, to be indifferent) or questions (你在意吗?). Distinct from 在乎, which tends to carry stronger emotional weight. Can express healthy concern or excessive preoccupation depending on context.

Examples

1. 她向来不在意旁人的眼光，始终按照自己认定的方式生活。 She’s never cared what other people think and has always lived the way she believes is right.
2. 他嘴上说不在意，心里却对这件事一直耿耿于怀，难以释然。 He says he doesn’t care, but deep down he’s been stuck on it and can’t let it go.
3. 身为管理者，你需要在意下属的情绪波动，并适时给予疏导与支持。 As a manager, you need to pay attention to shifts in your team members’ emotions and offer guidance and support when needed.

Usage Guide

Context: emotion, relationships, self-perception

Tone: reflective

Do Say

• 这点小事我完全不在意，请不必为此向我道歉，大家继续就好。(I don't mind this minor matter at all — there's no need to apologize, let's just move on.)
• 她非常在意家人对自己职业选择的看法，因此迟迟无法做出最终决定。(She cares deeply about her family's views on her career choice and has therefore been unable to make a final decision for a long time.)

Don't Say

• 在意这本书 to mean 'pay attention to this book' — use 关注 or 注意 for directing focused attention; 在意 is about emotional concern, not cognitive focus

Origin & History

在 (in/at) + 意 (mind/intention/feeling)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal