小心

• 拼音: xiǎo xīn
• 汉字拆解: 小 = small; 心 = pictograph of a heart, representing the mind and emotions

含义

Careful; to be careful. Used as a warning or to describe a cautious attitude.

Functions both as an adjective (要小心 — must be careful) and as an exclamation or warning (小心！— Watch out!). Very common in everyday safety reminders. Related expressions include 小心翼翼 (extremely careful, an idiom) and 当心 (another word for 'be careful'). Often used by parents, teachers, and signs.

例句

1. 过马路的时候要小心。
2. 小心，地上很滑！
3. 你做事要小心一点。

用法指南

语境: warnings, safety, daily life

语气: cautionary

正确说法

• 开车的时候要小心。(Be careful when driving.)
• 小心别摔倒了！(Be careful not to fall!)

错误说法

• 我很小心高兴 (Don't use 小心 to describe emotions — 小心 means cautious/careful, not 'small-hearted'; it is not about feelings but about being alert)

起源与历史

小 (xiǎo, small) + 心 (xīn, heart). Literally 'small heart' — keeping one's heart small and attentive, i.e. being careful and watchful.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal