B1 Expression خنثی

当心

dangxin

Be careful, look out.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use {当心|dāngxīn} to alert someone to potential danger or to advise them to be careful in a specific situation.

  • Means: To be careful, watch out, or take heed of a situation.
  • Used in: Warning about physical hazards, giving advice, or expressing concern.
  • Don't confuse: {当心|dāngxīn} (warning) with {担心|dānxīn} (to worry/be anxious).
⚠️ + 👁️ = {当心|dāngxīn}

Explanation at your level:

Use {当心|dāngxīn} to say 'be careful'. It is like saying 'watch out' in English. Use it when someone might fall or get hurt. It is a very useful word for safety.
The phrase {当心|dāngxīn} is used to warn people of danger. You can say it alone as a command, like 'Watch out!' or use it in a sentence to advise someone to be cautious about a person or a situation. It is very common in daily life.
As a B1 learner, you should recognize {当心|dāngxīn} as an imperative verb. It functions similarly to 'be careful' or 'take heed'. It is distinct from {担心|dānxīn}, which refers to internal anxiety. You can use it to provide advice in professional or social settings, often adding '点儿' to make the tone more conversational and less aggressive.
At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance between {当心|dāngxīn} and its synonyms like {小心|xiǎoxīn} or {注意|zhùyì}. While {当心|dāngxīn} implies a focus on avoiding potential harm, {注意|zhùyì} is broader, often meaning 'to pay attention to' or 'to take note of'. {当心|dāngxīn} carries a specific connotation of vigilance against negative outcomes, making it essential for nuanced social interaction and safety warnings.
The term {当心|dāngxīn} serves as a linguistic marker for externalized vigilance. Its etymological roots in the concept of the 'heart' as a cognitive center highlight the Chinese cultural emphasis on intentionality. In advanced discourse, it can be used to frame advice as a protective measure, demonstrating a high level of social awareness. Mastery involves distinguishing it from synonyms based on the degree of perceived threat and the desired level of formality.
From a cognitive linguistics perspective, {当心|dāngxīn} exemplifies the 'Heart as the Seat of Attention' metaphor. It functions as a deictic warning, anchoring the listener's attention to a specific locus of potential danger. In high-register contexts, it can be used rhetorically to emphasize the necessity of prudence. Understanding its usage requires an appreciation for the subtle interplay between the imperative mood and the social obligation to protect others from harm, a cornerstone of interpersonal harmony in Chinese society.

معنی

To warn someone to be cautious or watchful of potential danger.

🌍

زمینه فرهنگی

In public transport, you will often hear '请{当心|dāngxīn}脚下' (Please watch your step) as a recorded announcement. Usage is identical, but you might hear '{小心|xiǎoxīn}' slightly more often in casual, friendly warnings. In Cantonese, the equivalent is '小心' (siu2 sam1), which is used exactly like {当心|dāngxīn} in Mandarin. In a multilingual environment, 'Watch out' is often used alongside {当心|dāngxīn} in daily conversation.

💡

The 'Heart' Trick

Remember that both {当心|dāngxīn} and {担心|dānxīn} use {心|xīn}. Think of {当心|dāngxīn} as 'placing your heart' on the road (to be safe) and {担心|dānxīn} as 'carrying your heart' (feeling the weight of worry).

⚠️

Don't be rude

While {当心|dāngxīn} is a warning, adding '点儿' (dianr) makes it sound much more like friendly advice rather than a harsh command.

معنی

To warn someone to be cautious or watchful of potential danger.

💡

The 'Heart' Trick

Remember that both {当心|dāngxīn} and {担心|dānxīn} use {心|xīn}. Think of {当心|dāngxīn} as 'placing your heart' on the road (to be safe) and {担心|dānxīn} as 'carrying your heart' (feeling the weight of worry).

⚠️

Don't be rude

While {当心|dāngxīn} is a warning, adding '点儿' (dianr) makes it sound much more like friendly advice rather than a harsh command.

خودت رو بسنج

Fill in the blank with the correct word.

过马路时要______，别看手机。

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: {当心|dāngxīn}

You need to be careful (cautious) when crossing the street.

Choose the sentence that correctly uses {当心|dāngxīn}.

Which sentence is correct?

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: B

B is a correct warning of danger. A should use {担心|dānxīn}.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 这里的路很滑。 B: ______!

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: {当心|dāngxīn}

The appropriate response to a slippery road is a warning to be careful.

Match the situation to the phrase.

You see a friend about to trip over a wire.

✓ درسته! ✗ نه دقیقاً. پاسخ صحیح: {当心|dāngxīn}！

This is a classic physical hazard warning.

🎉 امتیاز: /4

ابزارهای بصری یادگیری

سوالات متداول

3 سوال

Yes, you can say '我要{当心|dāngxīn}点儿' (I need to be a bit more careful).

It is neutral. It works in both a casual conversation and a professional email.

They are synonyms. {小心|xiǎoxīn} is slightly more common in daily life.

عبارات مرتبط

🔄

小心

synonym

Be careful

🔗

注意

similar

Pay attention

🔗

留心

similar

Keep in mind/be observant

🔗

担心

contrast

Worry

کجا استفاده کنیم

💧

Walking on a slippery floor

Friend: {当心|dāngxīn}！地板很滑。

You: 谢谢提醒！

informal
🚗

Crossing a busy street

Parent: {当心|dāngxīn}车！

Child: 知道了。

neutral
💼

Giving business advice

Colleague: 这份合同有些条款需要{当心|dāngxīn}。

You: 我会仔细看的。

formal
👤

Meeting a stranger

Friend: 那个人看起来有点奇怪，{当心|dāngxīn}点。

You: 我会的。

neutral
🍲

Handling hot food

Waiter: {当心|dāngxīn}，盘子很烫。

You: 好的，谢谢。

informal
🛒

Online shopping

Friend: 这个网站打折太夸张了，{当心|dāngxīn}是骗局。

You: 你说得对，我不买了。

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a heart (心) being placed (当) in front of you like a shield to protect you from danger.

Visual Association

Imagine a person walking on a tightrope, holding their heart in their hands to make sure they don't drop it.

Rhyme

当心当心，注意重心。

Story

Little Ming was walking to school. He saw a banana peel. He yelled '{当心|dāngxīn}!' to his friend. His friend stopped. They both laughed and walked around it safely.

Word Web

小心注意警惕安全留心防范

چالش

For one day, try to mentally say '{当心|dāngxīn}' whenever you see a potential hazard in your environment.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

¡Cuidado!

Cuidado is more versatile as a noun (tener cuidado).

French high

Fais attention / Prends garde

French has more grammatical variations for the verb 'faire attention'.

German high

Pass auf!

German uses a separable verb structure.

Japanese high

気をつけて (Ki o tsukete)

Japanese has more honorific levels for this phrase.

Arabic moderate

انتبه (Intabih)

Arabic is more strictly a command form.

Chinese high

小心 (Xiǎoxīn)

They are near-synonyms but {当心|dāngxīn} feels slightly more 'active'.

Korean high

조심하세요 (Josimhaseyo)

Korean relies heavily on honorific suffixes.

Portuguese high

Cuidado

Portuguese usage is slightly more casual in some regions.

Easily Confused

当心 در مقابل 担心 (dānxīn)

Both contain '心' and sound similar.

当 (dāng) = 'to place' (active warning). 担 (dān) = 'to carry' (carrying a burden/worry).

سوالات متداول (3)

Yes, you can say '我要{当心|dāngxīn}点儿' (I need to be a bit more careful).

It is neutral. It works in both a casual conversation and a professional email.

They are synonyms. {小心|xiǎoxīn} is slightly more common in daily life.

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