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真心实意 (zhēn xīn shí yì) — wholeheartedly, sincerely, with true feelings

Definition

A formal four-character idiom meaning 'with genuine heart and true intent' — stronger and more literary than everyday 真心, emphasizing sincerity in action, not just feeling.

idiom
wholeheartedlysincerelywith true feelings

Examples

  • 真心实意。
    Tā zhēn xīn shí yì dì bāng zhù měi yí wèi xū yào bāng zhù de rén.
    He wholeheartedly helps everyone who needs help.
  • 真心实意，。
    Tā de dào qiàn shì zhēn xīn shí yì de, wǒ men yīng gāi yuán liàng tā.
    Her apology was sincere; we should forgive her.
  • 真心实意，。
    Zhǐ yǒu zhēn xīn shí yì dì qù duì dài gōng zuò, cái néng qǔ dé zhēn zhèng de chéng gōng.
    Only by treating your work with genuine sincerity can you achieve true success.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

真心true heart
真zhēntrue心xīnheart
偏正Modifier + head
实意solid intention
实shísolid意yìintention
偏正Modifier + head

真心 (true heart) and 实意 (solid intention) combine for wholehearted sincerity.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
貝貝bèicowrie; shell
Sound part声符shēngfú
𠂈
𠂈𠂈真zhēn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

真 pairs 貝 (cowrie shell, used for the meaning) with 𠂈, which gave the sound and originally drew a headlong fall.

Open 真 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape of 心 comes from a drawing of a heart, now highly stylized.

Open 心 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánroof
  • 周周zhōucarved jade
  • 貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →

No reliable origin is recorded for this character.

Open 意 →
Appears in
Attitudes & OpinionsIdioms & Set Phrases

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