心血 (xīn xuè) — (figurative) painstaking effort; hard work and dedication; the emotional and creative investment in something
Definition
心血 means the 'heart's blood' poured into something — time, emotion, and creative effort, not money. Unlike the financial terms 费用/支出/开支/经费, it cannot be spent in yuan; it pairs with 花费/付出/凝聚, and overlaps with 苦心 but emphasizes heartfelt devotion.
noun
(figurative) painstaking efforthard work and dedicationthe emotional and creative investment in something
Examples
- 心血。Zhè piān xiǎo shuō huā fèi le zuò jiā shí nián de xīn xuè.This novel cost the writer ten years of painstaking effort.
- 心血，。Fù mǔ yǎng yù hái zi suǒ fù chū de xīn xuè, shì wú fǎ gū liang de.The dedication parents put into raising their children is immeasurable.
- 。Zhè ge xiàng mù níng jù le quán tuán duì de xīn xuè.This project embodies the painstaking effort of the whole team.
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