When you're learning Chinese, you'll often encounter words that add a special flavor to verbs, telling you *how* something is done. 用心 (yòng xīn) is one of these handy adverbs. It literally means 'use heart,' but it's used to express that an action is performed with attentiveness, diligence, or care.
Think of it as putting your whole self into something, showing a genuine effort. You'll hear it in contexts where someone is encouraged to study diligently, work carefully, or prepare thoughtfully.
Examples by Level
老师再三强调，做实验要用心，不能有丝毫的马虎。
The teacher repeatedly emphasized that experiments must be done diligently, without the slightest carelessness.
他用心聆听着长者的教诲，仿佛每一个字都深深印在他的脑海里。
He listened attentively to the elder's teachings, as if every word was deeply etched in his mind.
为了给妻子一个惊喜，他用心准备了浪漫的烛光晚餐。
To surprise his wife, he diligently prepared a romantic candlelight dinner.
这部电影的导演用心良苦，从每一个细节都可见其匠心独运。
The director of this film put a lot of thought into it, and his ingenuity can be seen in every detail.
医生用心观察病人的每一个细微变化，以确保诊断的准确性。
The doctor carefully observed every subtle change in the patient to ensure the accuracy of the diagnosis.
她用心经营着自己的小花店，每一盆花都充满生机。
She diligently managed her small flower shop, and every pot of flowers was full of vitality.
面对复杂的国际形势，外交官们用心斡旋，力求和平解决争端。
Facing the complex international situation, diplomats diligently mediated, striving for a peaceful resolution of disputes.
只有用心感受生活，才能发现平凡中的美好与诗意。
Only by experiencing life with care can one discover the beauty and poetry in the ordinary.
Idioms & Expressions
"用心学习"
Study diligently / conscientiously.
他用心学习中文。
neutral"用心工作"
Work attentively / with dedication.
她一直用心工作，所以很快就升职了。
neutral"用心听"
Listen carefully.
请你用心听我说的话。
neutral"用心思考"
Think carefully / deeply.
你应该用心思考这个问题。
neutral"用心准备"
Prepare diligently / with care.
为了这次考试，她用心准备了很久。
neutral"用心去做"
Do it wholeheartedly / with all your effort.
无论做什么事情，都要用心去做。
neutral"用心良苦"
Have gone to great lengths / taken pains (often with good intentions).
父母用心良苦地培养我们。
formal"用心良善"
Well-intentioned / with good intentions.
他的用心良善，只是表达方式不太好。
neutral"别有用心"
Have ulterior motives / have an axe to grind.
他看起来很乐于助人，但我总觉得他别有用心。
neutral"用心待人"
Treat people sincerely / with heart.
我们要用心待人，才能获得别人的信任。
neutralTest Yourself 12 questions
Choose the best translation for '用心学习'.
用心 (yòngxīn) means 'diligently' or 'with care'. 学习 (xuéxí) means 'to study'. So, 用心学习 means 'to study diligently'.
Which sentence uses '用心' correctly?
用心 (yòngxīn) means 'diligently' or 'with care'. '工作' (gōngzuò) means 'to work', so '他用心工作' (tā yòngxīn gōngzuò) means 'He works diligently'. The other options don't make as much sense with 'diligently' at this level.
If your teacher tells you to '用心听', what does she want you to do?
用心 (yòngxīn) means 'with care' or 'attentively'. 听 (tīng) means 'to listen'. So, 用心听 means 'listen carefully'.
The sentence '他用心看电视' means 'He watches TV carefully'.
用心 (yòngxīn) means 'with care' or 'attentively', and 看电视 (kàn diànshì) means 'watch TV'. So, '他用心看电视' means 'He watches TV carefully'.
If you are '用心跑步', it means you are running very fast.
用心 (yòngxīn) means 'with care' or 'diligently', not necessarily 'very fast'. '跑步' (pǎobù) means 'to run'. So '用心跑步' means 'running diligently' or 'with effort'.
The sentence '请你用心写字' means 'Please write carefully'.
请你 (qǐng nǐ) means 'please you', 用心 (yòngxīn) means 'with care', and 写字 (xiězì) means 'write characters'. So, '请你用心写字' means 'Please write carefully'.
You are a manager giving feedback to an employee. Write a short message (3-4 sentences) encouraging them to be more attentive to details in their next project. Use '用心' in your message.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
小王，你这次的项目报告整体不错，但在数据核对上还有提升空间。希望你下次能更用心，注意细节，这样报告会更完美。我相信你会做得更好。
Describe a time when you had to prepare for an important exam or presentation. How did you '用心' prepare for it? (3-4 sentences)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
为了准备这次的期末考试，我每天都用心复习到深夜。我仔细阅读了课本上的每一个章节，并做了大量的练习题。我相信只要用心付出，就能取得好成绩。
Imagine you are teaching a friend how to cook their favorite dish. What advice would you give them about cooking '用心'? (3-4 sentences)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
做这道菜最关键的就是要用心。你要耐心调味，仔细观察火候，这样才能做出最好的味道。记住，用心做的饭菜总是特别香。
根据这段文字，病人恢复健康的关键是什么？
Read this passage:
医生对病人说：“你必须用心治疗，按时服药，才能尽快恢复健康。”病人听后，决定严格遵守医嘱，并积极配合治疗。经过一段时间的用心调养，他的身体果然好转了。
根据这段文字，病人恢复健康的关键是什么？
文章中明确提到“你必须用心治疗，按时服药，才能尽快恢复健康”，并且病人照做了之后身体好转。
文章中明确提到“你必须用心治疗，按时服药，才能尽快恢复健康”，并且病人照做了之后身体好转。
这位手工艺人强调的成功秘诀是什么？
Read this passage:
一位经验丰富的手工艺人总是告诫徒弟：“做任何事都要用心，即使是看似简单的步骤，也包含着学问。用心去做，才能做出精品。”徒弟牢记师傅的话，终于也成为了一名出色的工匠。
这位手工艺人强调的成功秘诀是什么？
手工艺人强调“做任何事都要用心，即使是看似简单的步骤，也包含着学问。用心去做，才能做出精品。”，这说明用心对待细节是成功的秘诀。
手工艺人强调“做任何事都要用心，即使是看似简单的步骤，也包含着学问。用心去做，才能做出精品。”，这说明用心对待细节是成功的秘诀。
小明中文进步快的原因是什么？
Read this passage:
小明在学习中文时，总是用心听讲，积极思考，不懂就问。他不仅完成了老师布置的所有作业，还主动阅读了许多中文书籍。因此，他的中文进步很快，受到了老师的表扬。
小明中文进步快的原因是什么？
文章提到小明“用心听讲，积极思考，不懂就问”，还“主动阅读了许多中文书籍”，这些都体现了他用心和积极主动的学习态度。
文章提到小明“用心听讲，积极思考，不懂就问”，还“主动阅读了许多中文书籍”，这些都体现了他用心和积极主动的学习态度。
/ 12 correct
Perfect score!
Example
老师要求学生用心听讲。
