衷心

• Pinyin: zhōng xīn
• Hanzi breakdown: 衷 = 衣 + 中 (clothing + middle — innermost feelings); 心 = heart

Meaning

Heartfelt; sincere; from the bottom of one's heart. Expressing genuine inner feelings.

Used in formal expressions: 衷心感谢 (heartfelt thanks), 衷心祝愿 (sincere wishes), 衷心希望 (earnestly hope). Common in speeches, letters, and official statements. More formal than 真心.

Examples

1. 我衷心感谢各位在困难时期给予的帮助和支持。 I sincerely thank everyone for the help and support you gave during a difficult time.
2. 值此新春佳节，衷心祝愿大家阖家幸福，万事如意。 On the occasion of the Lunar New Year, I sincerely wish you and your family happiness and all the best.
3. 我们衷心希望和平早日到来，人民不再受苦。 We sincerely hope peace arrives soon and that people no longer suffer.

Usage Guide

Context: speeches, letters, official occasions

Tone: sincere

Do Say

• 我衷心祝贺你取得如此优异的成绩。(I sincerely congratulate you on achieving such excellent results.)
• 对于您的慷慨相助，我们表示衷心的感谢。(We express our heartfelt thanks for your generous assistance.)

Don't Say

• 我衷心想吃披萨 — inappropriate register; 衷心 is for significant emotions, not casual desires; use 真的很想 instead

Origin & History

衷 (inner feelings/heart) + 心 (heart)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal