Feeling nervous and insecure because you are worried about being found out.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Feeling guilty due to hiding a secret or wrongdoing.
- Lacking confidence or courage to face a situation.
- Afraid of being exposed or discovered by others.
Overview
- 1概述：'心虚'是一个非常地道的中文词汇，字面意思是“心里的底气不足”。它并不指生理上的心脏虚弱，而是指心理层面的胆怯。当你隐瞒了真相、做了亏心事，或者对自己正在做的事情缺乏信心时，这种心理状态就会产生。
常见语境：最常见于被他人质疑或追问时。例如，当老师问学生作业是谁写的，如果学生是抄袭的，他会感到心虚。此外，在竞争中如果实力不如人，也会产生“心虚”的感觉，即底气不足。
- 1近义词辨析：'心虚'与'害怕'不同，'害怕'通常是对外部威胁的恐惧，而'心虚'的核心在于“内疚”或“担心被拆穿”。与'愧疚'相比，'心虚'更侧重于被发现后的后果，而'愧疚'侧重于对行为本身的道德自责。
Examples
他说话时眼神闪躲，看起来很心虚。
everydayHe avoided eye contact while speaking and looked very guilty.
面对记者的尖锐提问，他显得有些心虚。
formalFacing the reporter's sharp questions, he appeared somewhat insecure.
别心虚，你又没做错什么。
informalDon't be nervous, you didn't do anything wrong.
由于缺乏充分的证据，他在答辩时表现得十分心虚。
academicDue to a lack of sufficient evidence, he appeared very insecure during the defense.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
做贼心虚
A thief always feels insecure (guilty conscience).
说话发虚
Speaking with a lack of confidence.
心虚不敢看人
Too guilty to look someone in the eye.
Often Confused With
愧疚 emphasizes moral regret and self-blame, whereas 心虚 emphasizes the fear of being exposed.
胆怯 means being cowardly or lacking courage in general, while 心虚 is situational and specifically about hiding something.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word is neutral to informal in register. It is frequently used in daily conversation to describe someone's reaction to being caught in a lie. It is not typically used in legal documents as a formal charge, but rather as a description of behavior.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistake it for a physical health problem related to the heart. Another mistake is using it to mean 'being shy'. Remember, it always involves the element of a 'hidden secret' or 'lack of confidence'.
Tips
Use it to describe body language
When someone is '心虚', they often avoid eye contact or stutter. Mentioning these behaviors makes your description more vivid.
Avoid using it for physical illness
Never use '心虚' to describe a medical condition like heart palpitations. It is strictly for psychological states.
The importance of 'Face'
In Chinese culture, being exposed for a mistake causes a loss of face. Thus, '心虚' is a common reaction to the fear of losing face.
Word Origin
The word is a compound of '心' (heart/mind) and '虚' (empty/hollow). It metaphorically describes a mind that lacks the 'substance' or 'courage' of truth, making it feel hollow and unstable.
Cultural Context
In Chinese society, maintaining a reputation is crucial. '心虚' represents the inner conflict of a person who is struggling to maintain their public image while knowing they are in the wrong.
Memory Tip
Think of a thief (心) who feels empty (虚) because they are afraid of the police. If you have nothing to hide, you have a full heart (底气足)!
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions不是。它完全是一个心理状态词，与生理上的心脏健康状况无关。
不一定。心虚的前提是你担心被发现。如果一个人做错事后完全不在乎后果，就不会感到心虚。
不可以。心虚的反义词是“理直气壮”，只有当一个人底气不足时才用“心虚”。
可以。比如在汇报工作时，如果数据造假，被老板盯着看时就会感到心虚。
Test Yourself
他虽然在撒谎，但为了不让自己看起来太___，他强装镇定。
因为在撒谎，担心被拆穿，所以会感到心虚。
“面对警察的盘问，他显得很心虚。”这句话说明了什么？
心虚体现了那种担心秘密被揭发的心理。
他/感到/眼神/因为/撒谎/心虚/闪烁
这是最符合逻辑的语序。
Score: /3
Summary
Feeling nervous and insecure because you are worried about being found out.
- Feeling guilty due to hiding a secret or wrongdoing.
- Lacking confidence or courage to face a situation.
- Afraid of being exposed or discovered by others.
Use it to describe body language
When someone is '心虚', they often avoid eye contact or stutter. Mentioning these behaviors makes your description more vivid.
Avoid using it for physical illness
Never use '心虚' to describe a medical condition like heart palpitations. It is strictly for psychological states.
The importance of 'Face'
In Chinese culture, being exposed for a mistake causes a loss of face. Thus, '心虚' is a common reaction to the fear of losing face.
Examples
4 of 4他说话时眼神闪躲，看起来很心虚。
He avoided eye contact while speaking and looked very guilty.
面对记者的尖锐提问，他显得有些心虚。
Facing the reporter's sharp questions, he appeared somewhat insecure.
别心虚，你又没做错什么。
Don't be nervous, you didn't do anything wrong.
由于缺乏充分的证据，他在答辩时表现得十分心虚。
Due to a lack of sufficient evidence, he appeared very insecure during the defense.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
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.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
