When we say someone is 'hard-hearted,' it means they are not easily moved by emotions, especially sympathy or pity. In Chinese, the term for this is 心硬 (xīn yìng). Think of it like a heart that's become tough and unyielding, unable to feel for others.
For example, if someone sees another person in distress but shows no concern, you might describe them as 心硬. It's often used to describe someone who seems cruel or uncaring because they lack empathy. It's a useful term to express a lack of compassion in a person's character.
When we say someone is 心硬 (xīnyìng), it means they are hard-hearted or cruel. Think of it like their heart is made of stone, unable to feel sympathy or kindness. This term is often used to describe someone who acts without mercy or is very stubborn in a negative way, especially when it comes to showing compassion.
When you describe someone as 心硬 (xīnyìng), you're saying they are hard-hearted or cruel. This isn't about physical hardness, but rather a lack of empathy or compassion. It suggests someone is unwilling to change their mind or be moved by others' feelings. Think of it as a stubborn heart that's resistant to kindness or persuasion. It implies a certain emotional inflexibility, often leading to actions that might seem unkind or harsh to others.
When we say someone's '心' (xīn) — heart — is '硬' (yìng) — hard, we're talking about more than just a stubborn person. It means they are unfeeling, perhaps even cruel, especially when faced with others' suffering.
Think of it as someone who lacks empathy, who can see distress and remain unmoved. This isn't about being firm or resolute; it's about being emotionally unyielding in a negative way. Such a person might make decisions without considering the emotional impact on others, or they might seem indifferent to pain that would typically evoke sympathy.
When we say someone is '心硬' (xīn yìng), we're describing a person who is hard-hearted or cruel. This means they might lack sympathy or compassion for others, often making decisions or acting in ways that are harsh or unkind. It suggests a lack of emotional softness or empathy, making them seem unfeeling in certain situations. You might hear this used to describe someone who is very strict or unwilling to change their mind, even when faced with emotional appeals.
心硬 in 30 Sekunden
- Describes someone who is unsympathetic or cruel.
- Literally means 'heart hard'.
- Used to describe a person who is unfeeling or merciless.
§ What does 心硬 mean?
The Chinese phrase 心硬 (xīnyìng) literally translates to 'heart hard.' In English, we use this to describe someone who is hard-hearted or cruel. It's a pretty direct translation, which is helpful for learners!
- DEFINITION
- Hard-hearted; cruel.
You'll hear or read 心硬 when people are talking about someone who lacks empathy, is unfeeling, or acts without compassion. It's not usually a compliment, as you might guess. Think of it as describing someone who is emotionally tough, but in a negative way – they might be unresponsive to others' suffering or unwilling to change their mind even when shown reason.
§ When do people use 心硬?
People use 心硬 to describe a person's character or a specific action that shows a lack of empathy. Here are a few common scenarios:
- Describing someone's personality: If someone consistently shows no sympathy or consideration for others, you might call them 心硬.
- Reacting to a harsh decision: When someone makes a difficult or seemingly uncaring decision, especially one that impacts others negatively, you might hear this phrase.
- Talking about a lack of forgiveness: If someone refuses to forgive, even after an apology, their actions could be described as 心硬.
- Expressing personal struggle: Sometimes, a person might even say '我心硬' (wǒ xīnyìng) to describe their own inability to be emotionally flexible or forgiving, though this is less common than describing others.
It's important to understand the nuance here. While it means 'hard-hearted,' it's more about a lack of compassion or an unwillingness to yield emotionally, rather than just being stoic. It carries a strong negative connotation.
§ Examples of 心硬 in action
Let's look at some examples to help you see how 心硬 is used naturally.
他真的是个心硬的人，从来不听别人的意见。(Tā zhēn de shì ge xīnyìng de rén, cónglái bù tīng biérén de yìjiàn.)
Translation hint: He really is a hard-hearted person, never listens to others' opinions.
面对孩子的眼泪，她还是心硬地拒绝了。(Miànduì háizi de yǎnlèi, tā háishì xīnyìng de jùjué le.)
Translation hint: Faced with the child's tears, she still cruelly refused.
别那么心硬，给他一个机会吧。(Bié nàme xīnyìng, gěi tā yī gè jīhuì ba.)
Translation hint: Don't be so hard-hearted, give him a chance.
These examples show that 心硬 can describe a general personality trait or a specific action taken in a particular situation. It's a useful phrase to have in your vocabulary when you want to express a strong negative judgment about someone's lack of compassion or willingness to be harsh.
Alright, let's dive into some common slip-ups when using the Chinese phrase 心硬 (xīnyìng). This word means 'hard-hearted' or 'cruel,' and while it seems straightforward, there are a few nuances that can trip up English speakers. Getting these right will make your Chinese sound much more natural.
§ Mistake 1: Confusing 心硬 with 'strong-willed' or 'resilient'
This is a big one. In English, 'hard' can sometimes imply strength or resilience. Think 'hard as a rock' meaning unyielding. However, in Chinese, when you say someone is 心硬, it almost always carries a negative connotation. It’s about a lack of empathy or being unfeeling, not about being strong in the face of adversity. If you want to say someone is strong-willed, you'd use something like 意志坚强 (yìzhì jiānqiáng) or 坚韧 (jiānrèn).
他很心硬，拒绝帮助任何人。(Tā hěn xīnyìng, jùjué bāngzhù rènhé rén.)
- Translation hint
- He is hard-hearted, refusing to help anyone.
§ Mistake 2: Using 心硬 for inanimate objects
While 'hard' can describe objects in English, 心硬 is exclusively for describing people or, metaphorically, decisions or actions that show a lack of empathy. You wouldn't say a table is 心硬. That just sounds weird in Chinese. If you want to describe a physical object as hard, use 硬 (yìng) directly.
这张椅子很硬，坐着不舒服。(Zhè zhāng yǐzi hěn yìng, zuòzhe bù shūfú.)
- Translation hint
- This chair is very hard, it's uncomfortable to sit on.
Notice how we use just 硬 (yìng) for the chair, not 心硬 (xīnyìng). It's crucial to distinguish between 'hard' as a physical quality and 'hard-hearted' as a character trait.
§ Mistake 3: Overusing it or using it too casually
心硬 is a pretty strong word. It implies a significant lack of feeling or even cruelty. It's not something you'd use to describe someone who's just a bit stern or serious. Using it too often, or in situations where 'strict' or 'serious' would be more appropriate, can make you sound dramatic or exaggerate the situation.
那个老板虽然严格，但并不心硬。(Nà ge lǎobǎn suīrán yángé, dàn bìng bù xīnyìng.)
- Translation hint
- That boss is strict, but not hard-hearted.
§ Mistake 4: Not understanding the nuance of 'cruel'
While 'cruel' is a good translation for 心硬, it's not always about active maliciousness. Sometimes, it simply describes someone who is emotionally unresponsive or uncaring in situations where empathy is expected. It can be a passive cruelty of indifference rather than an active cruelty of inflicting pain.
她对那些流浪动物的遭遇显得很心硬。(Tā duì nàxiē liúlàng dòngwù de zāoyù xiǎnde hěn xīnyìng.)
- Translation hint
- She seemed very hard-hearted about the plight of those stray animals.
Here, it's not that she's actively harming the animals, but her indifference in a situation calling for compassion is seen as 心硬.
§ Mistake 5: Not knowing related terms
Expanding your vocabulary around similar concepts will help you avoid misusing 心硬. Here are a few related words:
- 冷酷 (lěngkù): Cold and ruthless. This is often stronger than 心硬 and can imply active cruelty.
- 无情 (wúqíng): Heartless; unfeeling. Similar to 心硬, but can also describe actions or environments, not just people.
- 铁石心肠 (tiěshíxīncháng): A four-character idiom (成语 - chéngyǔ) meaning 'heart of iron and stone.' This is a very emphatic way to say someone is hard-hearted.
他是一个铁石心肠的人，从不流泪。(Tā shì yī ge tiěshíxīncháng de rén, cóng bù liúlèi.)
- Translation hint
- He is a man with a heart of iron and stone, never shedding tears.
By understanding these related terms, you can choose the most precise word for the situation, rather than defaulting to 心硬 every time you want to convey a lack of compassion.
So, there you have it. Keep these common mistakes in mind, and you'll be using 心硬 (xīnyìng) like a pro. Remember, context and connotation are key in Chinese!
Wusstest du?
This direct combination of 'heart' and 'hard' to convey a lack of empathy is quite intuitive and similar expressions exist in many languages, including English ('hard-hearted').
Wichtige Grammatik
Adjective as Predicate: In Chinese, adjectives can directly serve as the predicate of a sentence without a verb like 'to be'. For example, '他心硬' (Tā xīnyìng) means 'He is hard-hearted.'
她很心硬 (Tā hěn xīnyìng) - She is very hard-hearted.
Adjective + 的 + Noun: The structure 'adjective + 的 (de) + noun' is used to modify a noun, similar to an adjective preceding a noun in English. For instance, '心硬的人' (xīnyìng de rén) means 'a hard-hearted person.'
他是一个心硬的男人 (Tā shì yīgè xīnyìng de nánrén) - He is a hard-hearted man.
Adjective with Degree Adverbs: Degree adverbs like 很 (hěn - very), 太 (tài - too), 非常 (fēicháng - extremely) are often used before adjectives to express intensity. For example, '太心硬了' (tài xīnyìng le) means 'too cruel.'
你怎么这么心硬？ (Nǐ zěnme zhème xīnyìng?) - How can you be so hard-hearted?
Adjective as Complement: Adjectives can be used as complements to describe the result or state of an action. While '心硬' primarily describes a characteristic, it can indirectly describe a state of being hard-hearted due to an event. However, this is less common for '心硬' directly.
他的话让我心硬 (Tā de huà ràng wǒ xīnyìng) - His words made me hard-hearted. (Implies a change in state)
Contrast and Comparison: '心硬' can be used in comparative structures to highlight a difference in temperament. For example, '她比他心硬' (Tā bǐ tā xīnyìng) means 'She is more hard-hearted than him.'
他没有她那么心硬 (Tā méiyǒu tā nàme xīnyìng) - He is not as hard-hearted as she is.
Beispiele nach Niveau
她很心硬。
She is very hard-hearted.
他很心硬，不哭。
He is very hard-hearted, he doesn't cry.
你为什么这么心硬？
Why are you so hard-hearted?
不要心硬，要善良。
Don't be hard-hearted, be kind.
那个男人很心硬。
That man is very cruel.
她对宠物很心硬。
She is very cruel to pets.
你不要对孩子心硬。
You should not be cruel to children.
他的心很硬。
His heart is very hard.
他对我说话的时候，眼睛里一点温度都没有，真是一个心硬的人。
When he spoke to me, there was no warmth in his eyes; he is truly a hard-hearted person.
她知道孩子很想念她，但是为了工作，她心硬地离开了。
She knew her child missed her greatly, but for the sake of work, she left with a hard heart.
老板很心硬，即使员工生病了，也要他们加班。
The boss is very hard-hearted; even when employees are sick, he still makes them work overtime.
别看他平时嘻嘻哈哈的，关键时候心硬得很，谁的面子都不给。
Don't let him fool you with his usual joking around; at critical moments, he's very hard-hearted and won't give anyone special treatment.
面对受灾的民众，一些官员却表现得非常心硬。
Facing the disaster-stricken populace, some officials, however, acted very hard-heartedly.
虽然她表面上看起来很心硬，但内心其实很善良。
Although she appears hard-hearted on the surface, she is actually very kind-hearted deep down.
这部电影讲述了一个心硬的杀手如何最终被爱感化的故事。
This movie tells the story of how a hard-hearted killer was eventually moved by love.
他做出了一个心硬的决定，放弃了多年的梦想。
He made a hard-hearted decision, giving up years of dreams.
她很心硬，即使看到别人哭泣，也无动于衷。
She is hard-hearted, even when she sees others crying, she remains unmoved.
你不要这么心硬，偶尔也该对家人表现出一些温柔。
You shouldn't be so hard-hearted; sometimes you should show some tenderness to your family.
那个老板真是心硬，竟然解雇了生病的老员工。
That boss is truly cruel; he actually fired the old employee who was sick.
他的心硬得像石头一样，对任何人的求助都视而不见。
His heart is as hard as a stone; he turns a blind eye to anyone's pleas for help.
经过这些年的磨砺，他的心变得越来越硬了。
After years of tempering, his heart has become harder and harder.
你怎么能如此心硬，对自己的孩子不管不顾？
How can you be so hard-hearted, neglecting your own children?
即使面对困境，她也心硬地坚持自己的原则。
Even when facing difficulties, she hard-heartedly stuck to her principles.
他做出了一个心硬的决定，离开了家乡去追求梦想。
He made a hard-hearted decision to leave his hometown to pursue his dreams.
Grammatikmuster
Satzmuster
他很心硬。
他很心硬，不帮助任何人。(Tā hěn xīnyìng, bù bāngzhù rènhé rén. - He is very hard-hearted, he doesn't help anyone.)
A 对 B 很心硬。
老师对那些不听话的学生很心硬。(Lǎoshī duì nàxiē bù tīnghuà de xuéshēng hěn xīnyìng. - The teacher is very hard-hearted towards those disobedient students.)
一个人心硬，就不会……
一个人心硬，就不会关心别人。(Yī ge rén xīnyìng, jiù bú huì guānxīn biérén. - If a person is hard-hearted, they won't care about others.)
他是个心硬的人。
他是个心硬的人，从来不哭。(Tā shì ge xīnyìng de rén, cónglái bù kū. - He is a hard-hearted person, he never cries.)
为什么你这么心硬？
为什么你这么心硬，不给我一个机会？(Wèishénme nǐ zhème xīnyìng, bù gěi wǒ yī ge jīhuì? - Why are you so hard-hearted, not giving me a chance?)
心硬的决定
这是一个心硬的决定，但我们必须做。(Zhè shì yī ge xīnyìng de juédìng, dàn wǒmen bìxū zuò. - This is a cruel decision, but we must make it.)
即使心硬的人也会……
即使心硬的人也会被这个故事感动。(Jíshǐ xīnyìng de rén yě huì bèi zhège gùshì gǎndòng. - Even hard-hearted people will be moved by this story.)
心硬如铁
他的心硬如铁，没有人能改变他。(Tā de xīn yìng rú tiě, méiyǒu rén néng gǎibiàn tā. - His heart is as hard as iron, no one can change him.)
Tipps
Literal Meaning Breakdown
Literally, 心 (xīn) means 'heart' and 硬 (yìng) means 'hard'. So, 'hard heart' directly translates to 'hard-hearted'. This literal connection makes it easy to remember.
Use with People
You primarily use '心硬' to describe a person's character, indicating they are unsympathetic or cruel. For example, '他这个人很心硬，从来不帮人。' (He is a very hard-hearted person, never helping others.)
Antonym for Better Understanding
The opposite of '心硬' could be '心软' (xīn ruǎn), meaning 'soft-hearted' or 'lenient'. Understanding antonyms helps solidify the meaning. '她很心软，容易被感动。' (She is very soft-hearted, easily moved.)
Not for Physical Hardness
Remember, '心硬' is purely metaphorical. It doesn't refer to a physically hard heart. For physical hardness, you'd use other words like '坚硬' (jiānyìng).
Common Sentence Structure
You'll often see '心硬' used with '很' (hěn - very) or '太' (tài - too) before it. For example, '你太心硬了！' (You are too hard-hearted!)
Practice with Scenarios
Think of situations where someone might be described as hard-hearted. For instance, '老板对员工很心硬。' (The boss is very hard-hearted towards employees.)
Cultural Nuance: Directness
In Chinese culture, directly calling someone '心硬' can be quite a strong criticism, implying a deep character flaw. Use it carefully.
Can be a Verb or Adjective
While listed as a noun, '心硬' functions primarily as an adjective describing a person. It can also be used adverbially with '地' (de) to describe how an action is performed, though this is less common. For example, '她心硬地拒绝了他。' (She hard-heartedly refused him.)
Associate with Negative Feelings
Always associate '心硬' with negative emotions like lack of compassion, indifference, or cruelty. This emotional link helps in recall.
Wortherkunft
The term '心硬' (xīnyìng) is a compound of '心' (xīn) meaning 'heart' and '硬' (yìng) meaning 'hard'.
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Literally, it means 'hard heart'.
Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic, Mandarin ChineseKultureller Kontext
In Chinese culture, the heart (心) is often associated with emotions, compassion, and one's true character. Therefore, someone described as having a 'hard heart' (心硬) is seen as lacking in empathy, kindness, and often perceived as cruel or unfeeling towards others. This concept is deeply rooted in traditional Chinese moral philosophy, which values benevolence and harmonious relationships.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenLiterally, 心 (xīn) means 'heart' and 硬 (yìng) means 'hard'. So, it directly translates to 'heart hard'.
Yes, 心硬 almost always carries a negative connotation. It describes someone who is unfeeling, cruel, or lacks empathy.
No, 心硬 is used metaphorically to describe a person's character, not the physical state of their heart. You wouldn't use it in a medical context.
While 心硬 is common, you could also use phrases like 铁石心肠 (tiě shí xīn cháng), which literally means 'iron and stone heart and guts', emphasizing extreme hardness.
You can say something like: 他这个人很心硬，从来不同情别人。 (Tā zhè ge rén hěn xīnyìng, cónglái bù tóngqíng biéren.) - 'This person is very hard-hearted, never sympathizing with others.'
The opposite would be someone who is kind and empathetic. You could use words like 善良 (shànliáng) - 'kind', or 有爱心 (yǒu àixīn) - 'loving/caring'.
It's generally a common, everyday term. You can use it in both formal and informal contexts to describe someone's character.
You could, but it would imply a negative self-assessment. For example, '我心硬，不会轻易流泪。' (Wǒ xīnyìng, bù huì qīngyì liúlèi.) - 'I'm hard-hearted, I won't easily cry.' This might be used to express resilience but still carries the core meaning of being unfeeling.
心硬 is considered an A2 level vocabulary word, meaning it's relatively basic and useful for beginner-intermediate learners.
In Chinese culture, empathy and compassion are highly valued. Describing someone as 心硬 is a strong criticism, implying a lack of essential human warmth and understanding.
Teste dich selbst 48 Fragen
This sentence means 'He is not hard-hearted.' The usual order for 'not' (不) is before the adjective or verb.
This sentence means 'Mom is not hard-hearted.' '不' (bù) comes before the adjective '心硬' (xīnyìng).
This sentence means 'Are you not hard-hearted?' The '吗' (ma) particle turns a statement into a question.
她很___，从不关心别人。
The sentence indicates a lack of care for others, which aligns with 'hard-hearted'.
对不起，我不能帮你，我妈妈告诉我不要对陌生人___。
The context implies being too sympathetic or easily persuaded by strangers, so '心软' (soft-hearted) fits better here as a contrast to the instruction not to be. However, since the word for the lesson is '心硬', and the sentence structure could imply 'not to be cruel to strangers', the most direct fit from the provided options, if '心硬' is to be tested, would be: '我妈妈告诉我不要对陌生人太心硬。' But with the given options and the context of 'helping', '心软' is a more common opposition. Let's re-evaluate for '心硬'. If the mother tells them NOT to be something, and the person cannot help, '不要对陌生人心硬' (Don't be cruel/hard-hearted to strangers) makes sense, meaning they should be kind. However, the initial context '我不能帮你' suggests the speaker IS being a bit hard-hearted. Let's adjust the question or explanation to fit '心硬' better as the correct answer if that's the goal. Given the lesson word is 心硬, let's assume the question intends to test that, even if the nuance is tricky. A more straightforward question for '心硬' would be: '他很___，从来不哭。' With the given options, if we must use '心硬' as the answer: '他很___，从不理会别人的痛苦。' But let's stick to the prompt. The provided example uses '心软' in a way that contrasts with '心硬'. To make '心硬' the correct answer here, the sentence should imply a negative action. Let's assume the intent was to ask about someone being '心硬'. Let's adjust to make '心硬' clearly the answer. "他很___，从不帮助别人。" This makes '心硬' the clear correct answer.
别看他外表很___，其实他很善良。
The sentence suggests a contrast between a tough exterior and an inner kindness. '心硬' fits the tough exterior.
老板对员工很___，从不给加班费。
Not giving overtime pay suggests a lack of compassion, which aligns with 'hard-hearted'.
这个孩子太___了，总是欺负小动物。
Bullying animals is a cruel act, indicating a 'hard-hearted' nature.
她变得越来越___，对什么事情都漠不关心。
Being indifferent to everything shows a hardening of emotions, fitting '心硬'.
Use 心硬 in a short sentence about someone's character. (Think about describing a person who is not easily moved by others' feelings.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
他很心硬，不喜欢帮助别人。 (He is very hard-hearted, he doesn't like to help others.)
Describe a situation where someone might be considered 心硬. (For example, refusing to forgive someone or being indifferent to suffering.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
她对我的请求很心硬，一点都不想听。 (She was very hard-hearted about my request, not wanting to listen at all.)
Write a short sentence about what someone with a 心硬 character might NOT do. (For instance, show empathy.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
一个心硬的人不会轻易流泪。 (A hard-hearted person will not shed tears easily.)
根据这段话，他为什么不哭？
Read this passage:
他很心硬，从来不哭。他觉得哭是弱者的表现。所以，即使他很难过，也不会让人看到他的眼泪。
根据这段话，他为什么不哭？
文章中明确提到“他觉得哭是弱者的表现”。 (The passage clearly states 'he thinks crying is a sign of weakness'.)
文章中明确提到“他觉得哭是弱者的表现”。 (The passage clearly states 'he thinks crying is a sign of weakness'.)
这个老板对员工怎么样？
Read this passage:
这个老板很心硬，他从不给员工加班费。员工们虽然很辛苦，但是也没有办法。
这个老板对员工怎么样？
文章中提到老板“很心硬，他从不给员工加班费”。 (The passage mentions the boss is 'very hard-hearted, he never gives employees overtime pay'.)
文章中提到老板“很心硬，他从不给员工加班费”。 (The passage mentions the boss is 'very hard-hearted, he never gives employees overtime pay'.)
小明会帮助他的朋友吗？
Read this passage:
小明的心很硬，他总是对别人说不。即使朋友需要帮助，他也不会帮忙。
小明会帮助他的朋友吗？
文章中提到“即使朋友需要帮助，他也不会帮忙”。 (The passage states 'even if friends need help, he will not help'.)
文章中提到“即使朋友需要帮助，他也不会帮忙”。 (The passage states 'even if friends need help, he will not help'.)
This sentence means 'He is too hard-hearted.' The standard sentence structure is Subject + Adverb + Adjective + 了 (le).
This sentence means 'Don't be cruel to small animals.' The structure '不要 (bú yào) + verb phrase' means 'don't do something.' '对 (duì) + someone + action' indicates the target of the action.
This sentence means 'She is not a hard-hearted person.' '不是 (bú shì)' means 'is not.' '一个 (yī ge)' is a measure word for 'person.' '的 (de)' connects an adjective to a noun.
Listen for the description of a hard-hearted person's behavior.
Listen for the plea to not be hard-hearted.
Listen for the reason someone became hard-hearted.
Read this aloud:
你觉得心硬的人更容易成功吗？
Focus: 心硬 (xīnyìng)
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
请描述一个你认为心硬的人的特点。
Focus: 特点 (tèdiǎn)
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
在什么情况下，一个人会变得心硬？
Focus: 情况 (qíngkuàng)
Du hast gesagt:
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她对待动物总是很______，从来不关心它们的感受。
Context indicates someone who is uncaring towards animals, which aligns with '心硬' (hard-hearted). '心软' means soft-hearted, '心急' means impatient, and '心疼' means to feel distressed.
尽管我苦苦哀求，他还是______地拒绝了我的请求。
The context of '苦苦哀求' (begging earnestly) suggests a rejection that is harsh or unfeeling, making '冷酷' (cruel/ruthless, similar to 心硬) the most appropriate choice.
看到孩子生病，他竟然能做到如此______，真是让人无法理解。
The phrase '能做到如此______' (could be so...) in the context of a child being sick suggests a lack of feeling or empathy, which '麻木' (numb, indifferent) captures well, similar to being hard-hearted.
面对灾民的困境，一些官员表现得极其______，引发了公众的强烈不满。
The context of '灾民的困境' (plight of disaster victims) and '公众的强烈不满' (strong public dissatisfaction) implies a lack of concern or empathy from officials. '冷漠' (indifferent, aloof) fits this meaning, aligning with being hard-hearted.
他因为从小缺乏关爱，导致性格变得非常______，不轻易相信别人。
Lack of care in childhood often leads to a withdrawn or unsociable personality. '孤僻' (unsociable, reclusive) describes someone who is emotionally distant, which can be a manifestation of being '心硬' or emotionally guarded.
历史上的暴君往往都有一颗______的心，对人民的疾苦视而不见。
The term '暴君' (tyrant) is associated with rulers who are '心硬' (hard-hearted) and indifferent to their people's suffering. '残忍' (cruel) is a direct synonym for '心硬' in this context.
Describe a situation where someone might be accused of being '心硬' (hard-hearted). What actions or inactions would lead to such an accusation? How might this person justify their behavior, even if others perceive them as cruel?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
在商业谈判中，如果一位首席执行官为了公司利益，毅然解雇了大量老员工，尽管他知道这将给这些家庭带来巨大的痛苦，他可能会被指责为心硬。他可能会辩解说，这是为了公司的长远发展和多数员工的福祉所做的艰难但必要的决定，而非出于个人恶意。
Imagine you are writing a short story. A character is described as '心硬'. How does this trait manifest in their interactions with others and in their decision-making? Provide specific examples.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
故事中的李老板是个出了名的心硬之人。在一次员工遭遇家庭变故急需帮助时，他不仅没有提供任何援助，反而以公司规章为由拒绝了对方的请假申请，并要求对方必须完成手头工作。他的决定总是基于冰冷的理性分析和最大化自身利益，从不掺杂个人情感，即使面对他人的困境，他也依然不为所动。
Discuss the difference between being '心硬' (hard-hearted) and being '坚定' (firm/resolute). Can someone be both? Provide examples to illustrate your points.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
心硬通常指缺乏同情心，对他人痛苦漠不关心，甚至有些残酷。而坚定则意味着在原则面前不妥协，有强大的意志力。一个人可以同时坚定但并非心硬。例如，一个医生在面对患者家属的苦苦哀求时，坚定地执行医疗规范，拒绝提供不当治疗，这是坚定。但如果医生对患者的痛苦表现出冷漠和不屑，那就是心硬了。关键在于是否有基于同情和理解的底线。
根据文章，国王的心硬主要体现在哪里？
Read this passage:
在古代寓言中，有一位国王以其心硬而闻名。他对待犯人从不手软，即使是小偷小摸也会施以严厉的惩罚。有一次，他的儿子犯了错，按照律法也应受罚。尽管王后苦苦哀求，但国王依然坚持己见，最终对儿子也处以同样的刑罚。此事传开后，百姓对他既敬畏又有些怨言。
根据文章，国王的心硬主要体现在哪里？
文章明确提到“他对待犯人从不手软，即使是小偷小摸也会施以严厉的惩罚”，更重要的是“国王依然坚持己见，最终对儿子也处以同样的刑罚”，这充分体现了他的心硬。
文章明确提到“他对待犯人从不手软，即使是小偷小摸也会施以严厉的惩罚”，更重要的是“国王依然坚持己见，最终对儿子也处以同样的刑罚”，这充分体现了他的心硬。
文章中提到的企业裁员行为，为何会被认为是“心硬”的表现？
Read this passage:
在现代社会中，我们常常会遇到一些看似心硬的现象。例如，一些企业在经济不景气时大规模裁员，即便知道会给员工家庭带来巨大冲击，也依然为了公司的生存而做出“艰难的决定”。这种行为虽然在商业逻辑上或许有其合理性，但在人情上却往往被视为心硬的表现。
文章中提到的企业裁员行为，为何会被认为是“心硬”的表现？
文章中提到“即便知道会给员工家庭带来巨大冲击，也依然为了公司的生存而做出‘艰难的决定’”，这表明了企业在决策过程中，虽然有商业合理性，但缺乏对员工人情方面的考虑，因此被视为心硬。
文章中提到“即便知道会给员工家庭带来巨大冲击，也依然为了公司的生存而做出‘艰难的决定’”，这表明了企业在决策过程中，虽然有商业合理性，但缺乏对员工人情方面的考虑，因此被视为心硬。
根据文章，在什么情况下“心硬”一词可能带有褒义？
Read this passage:
“心硬”一词，在不同语境下可能带有不同的情感色彩。有时它仅仅是形容一个人不为情感所动，坚持原则，但并无恶意。例如，一位法官在判案时铁面无私，不徇私情，我们可以说他心硬，但这通常是褒义的。然而，在更多情况下，它指代的是冷酷无情、缺乏同情心，此时则带有贬义。
根据文章，在什么情况下“心硬”一词可能带有褒义？
文章明确指出：“有时它仅仅是形容一个人不为情感所动，坚持原则，但并无恶意。例如，一位法官在判案时铁面无私，不徇私情，我们可以说他心硬，但这通常是褒义的。”
文章明确指出：“有时它仅仅是形容一个人不为情感所动，坚持原则，但并无恶意。例如，一位法官在判案时铁面无私，不徇私情，我们可以说他心硬，但这通常是褒义的。”
This sentence describes someone showing a 'hard-hearted' side when facing difficulties, refusing to compromise.
This sentence contrasts an outwardly 'hard-hearted' appearance with a hidden deep love for family.
This sentence describes someone's 'hard-hearted' attitude towards the homeless, which is shocking.
/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
心硬 (xīnyìng) means 'hard-hearted' or 'cruel' and refers to someone who lacks compassion.
- Describes someone who is unsympathetic or cruel.
- Literally means 'heart hard'.
- Used to describe a person who is unfeeling or merciless.
Literal Meaning Breakdown
Literally, 心 (xīn) means 'heart' and 硬 (yìng) means 'hard'. So, 'hard heart' directly translates to 'hard-hearted'. This literal connection makes it easy to remember.
Use with People
You primarily use '心硬' to describe a person's character, indicating they are unsympathetic or cruel. For example, '他这个人很心硬，从来不帮人。' (He is a very hard-hearted person, never helping others.)
Context is Key
While it can mean 'cruel', it often implies a lack of empathy or unwillingness to compromise. Consider the context to gauge the intensity. '她对孩子很心硬。' (She is very stern/unyielding towards her children.)
Antonym for Better Understanding
The opposite of '心硬' could be '心软' (xīn ruǎn), meaning 'soft-hearted' or 'lenient'. Understanding antonyms helps solidify the meaning. '她很心软，容易被感动。' (She is very soft-hearted, easily moved.)
Verwandte Inhalte
Mehr emotions Wörter
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
一点
A1A little; a bit; slightly.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
