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心理健康

A2 noun 10 min read

心理健康

xinli3jiankang4

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 心理健康 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 心理健康 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you likely won't use the full term '心理健康' (xīnlǐ jiànkāng) often because it is a bit complex. However, you already know the word '健康' (jiànkāng), which means 'healthy.' At this stage, learners focus on simple physical health, like '我身体很好' (My body is very good/I am healthy). You might encounter '心理健康' in very simple contexts where someone is explaining that the 'mind' (心) also needs to be 'healthy' (健康). Think of it as 'heart health' for your feelings. You can start by recognizing the characters: '心' (heart) and '理' (logic/reason). Even at A1, knowing that '健康' applies to more than just the body is a great step forward. You might see it on a poster in a Chinese classroom or a hospital. Just remember: 心 (heart) + 理 (reason) + 健 (strong) + 康 (peace) = Mental Health. It's about feeling good inside.

At the A2 level, you are starting to talk about your life, your feelings, and your daily routine. This is where '心理健康' (xīnlǐ jiànkāng) becomes very useful. You can use it to explain why you take breaks or why you go for a walk. For example, '运动对心理健康很好' (Exercise is very good for mental health). You are beginning to understand that '心理' is a noun that modifies '健康.' You should be able to recognize this word in news headlines or social media posts about self-care. You can also start using the structure '重视...健康' (attach importance to... health). At this level, you don't need to know the deep medical definitions, but you should know that it's a positive thing that people 'maintenance' (维护) or 'care about' (关注). It helps you describe a balanced life beyond just eating well and sleeping enough.

At the B1 level, you can have longer conversations about social issues and personal development. '心理健康' (xīnlǐ jiànkāng) is a key term for discussing '压力' (yālì - pressure) at work or school. You can now use more complex sentences like '因为工作压力太大，他的心理健康出现了问题' (Because the work pressure was too great, his mental health had problems). You will also start to see this term in the context of '心理咨询' (xīnlǐ zīxún - psychological counseling). You should be able to distinguish between '心理健康' (the state of health) and '心情' (mood). You might participate in a discussion about how to improve mental health in the community. You can use verbs like '改善' (improve), '影响' (influence), and '损害' (damage) in combination with this word. It's no longer just a vocabulary word; it's a topic you can debate and explain.

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand more abstract concepts and professional terminology. '心理健康' (xīnlǐ jiànkāng) appears in academic articles, business reports, and social critiques. You will learn about '心理健康标准' (mental health standards) and how different cultures define them. You can discuss the 'stigma' (偏见/歧视) associated with mental health in different societies. You should be able to use the term in the '身心健康' (body and mind health) idiom fluently. You will also encounter related terms like '心理干预' (psychological intervention) or '心理韧性' (resilience). At this stage, you should be able to read a news article about government policies regarding mental health in schools and summarize the main points using this vocabulary. Your usage should be precise, distinguishing it from '精神卫生' (mental hygiene/health) which is more formal and clinical.

At the C1 level, you are approaching near-native proficiency in specific domains. You can use '心理健康' (xīnlǐ jiànkāng) in the context of psychological theories, sociological research, and public policy. You can discuss how '心理健康' is affected by systemic issues like '内卷' (involution) or '社会不公' (social injustice). You can understand the nuances of how the term has evolved in China from the 1980s to the present. You are comfortable using it in formal presentations or writing essays on the impact of technology on the mental health of the youth. You can also use it in more metaphorical ways or within complex grammatical structures like '以...为前提' (with ... as a prerequisite), e.g., '以心理健康为前提的全面发展' (comprehensive development with mental health as a prerequisite). You understand the subtle differences in register between this and '精神健康' in legal texts.

At the C2 level, you have complete mastery. You can engage in deep philosophical discussions about the definition of 'health' and 'mind' in the term '心理健康' (xīnlǐ jiànkāng). You can analyze literature or film through the lens of the characters' mental health using sophisticated vocabulary. You might read academic journals in psychology and understand the statistical analyses of mental health trends in China. You can provide professional-level translations of documents involving mental health policy, ensuring the register is perfectly suited for the target audience. You understand the historical shift from '精神病' (mental illness/insanity) to the modern, holistic '心理健康.' You can navigate sensitive conversations with extreme tact, using the term correctly in various socio-economic and cultural contexts within the Chinese-speaking world. You are aware of the latest buzzwords and slang that relate to mental health but can always revert to this standard, formal term for clarity.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

心理健康 in 30 Seconds

心理健康 (xīnlǐ jiànkāng) means 'mental health' or 'psychological well-being' in Chinese.
It is a compound noun: 心理 (mind/psychology) + 健康 (health).
It is used in medical, educational, and daily life contexts to discuss emotional balance.
Commonly paired with verbs like '重视' (value) and '关注' (pay attention to).

The term 心理健康 (xīnlǐ jiànkāng) is a compound noun that translates directly to 'mental health' or 'psychological well-being' in English. To understand its depth, we must break down its constituent parts. 心理 (xīnlǐ) refers to the mind, psychology, or mental processes, where 'xīn' (心) is the heart (historically seen as the seat of thought) and 'lǐ' (理) represents logic, reason, or principles. 健康 (jiànkāng) means health, where 'jiàn' (健) implies strength and vigor, and 'kāng' (康) suggests peace and ease. Together, the term describes a state where the mind is both strong and at peace, functioning logically and harmoniously within its environment.

Medical Context: In clinical settings, it refers to the absence of mental illness and the presence of emotional resilience. Doctors use it when discussing diagnoses or preventative care.

保持心理健康对每个人都很重要。 (Maintaining mental health is important for everyone.)

In modern Chinese society, particularly in urban centers like Beijing and Shanghai, the usage of this term has skyrocketed. For decades, physical health was the primary focus of public health initiatives, but as the pace of life accelerated and competitive pressures (often referred to as 'involution' or nèijuǎn) increased, the conversation shifted toward the internal state. You will hear this word in schools during 'psychological health awareness' weeks, in corporate HR seminars discussing employee burnout, and in casual conversations among friends who are emphasizing self-care.

Educational Context: Schools now prioritize 'xīnlǐ jiànkāng jiàoyù' (mental health education) to help students manage the immense pressure of the Gaokao exam.

我们需要更多关注大学生的心理健康。 (We need to pay more attention to the mental health of university students.)

Culturally, there was once a significant stigma attached to discussing the mind's health, often conflated with 'losing face' or being 'crazy.' However, the term '心理健康' has helped normalize the discussion by framing it through the lens of 'health' (健康), which is a universally respected and positive concept in Chinese culture. It allows people to discuss stress, anxiety, and depression without the harsh labels of the past.

Social Media Usage: On platforms like WeChat and Douyin, influencers use this term to advocate for work-life balance and emotional intelligence.

好的睡眠是心理健康的基础。 (Good sleep is the foundation of mental health.)

我们要做到身体和心理健康双丰收。 (We should achieve success in both physical and mental health.)

压力过大会影响心理健康。 (Excessive pressure will affect mental health.)

Using 心理健康 (xīnlǐ jiànkāng) correctly requires understanding its role as a noun. While it translates to 'mental health,' it is often treated as a direct object of verbs like '重视' (zhòngshì - to value/attach importance to), '关注' (guānzhù - to pay attention to), or '损害' (sǔnhài - to damage). Unlike English, where 'mental' acts as an adjective, '心理' in Chinese often functions as a noun-modifier, making the whole phrase a single conceptual unit.

Subject Position: When it is the subject, it often precedes an adjective or a verb phrase. Example: '心理健康很重要' (Mental health is very important).

良好的社交关系有利于心理健康。 (Good social relationships are beneficial to mental health.)

One common pattern is the 'A 对 B 有影响' (A has an influence on B) structure. Here, '心理健康' usually occupies the B position. For example, '长期加班对员工的心理健康有负面影响' (Long-term overtime has a negative impact on employees' mental health). It is also frequently used in possessive structures with '的', such as '青少年的心理健康' (the mental health of teenagers).

Verb-Object Pattern: Common verbs: 维护 (wéihù - maintain), 促进 (cùjìn - promote), 忽视 (hūshì - ignore), 评估 (pínggū - assess).

政府正在加强对公民心理健康的保护。 (The government is strengthening the protection of citizens' mental health.)

In academic or professional writing, '心理健康' is often paired with '标准' (biāozhǔn - standards) or '咨询' (zīxún - counseling). For example, '心理健康咨询' is the standard term for psychological counseling. When describing a person who is mentally healthy, the phrase '心理健康的人' (a mentally healthy person) is used, where the whole noun phrase is modified by '的人'.

Compound Nouns: 心理健康中心 (Mental Health Center), 心理健康讲座 (Mental Health Lecture), 心理健康测试 (Mental Health Test).

通过运动，他改善了自己的心理健康。 (Through exercise, he improved his mental health.)

学校设立了专门的心理健康室。 (The school established a dedicated mental health room.)

我们不应该忽视老人的心理健康。 (We should not ignore the mental health of the elderly.)

You will encounter 心理健康 (xīnlǐ jiànkāng) in several distinct environments in China today. First and foremost is the educational system. From primary school to university, '心理健康教育' (Mental Health Education) is a mandatory part of the curriculum. You will hear teachers and counselors using this term during assemblies or in private sessions to address the high-pressure academic environment.

The Workplace: In tech hubs like Shenzhen or Beijing, '996' culture (working 9am to 9pm, 6 days a week) has made mental health a hot topic. HR departments often hold workshops on '员工心理健康' (Employee Mental Health) to mitigate burnout.

公司很重视员工的心理健康。 (The company attaches great importance to employees' mental health.)

In the media, '心理健康' is a frequent subject of news reports and documentaries. CCTV (China Central Television) often features experts discussing how to maintain mental well-being in the digital age. On social media platforms like Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), users share '心理健康小贴士' (mental health tips), ranging from meditation techniques to how to set boundaries with parents.

Hospitals and Clinics: You will see signs for the '心理健康科' (Mental Health Department) in major hospitals, where it serves as a more approachable name than the more clinical '精神科' (Psychiatry).

他在电台主持一个关于心理健康的节目。 (He hosts a radio program about mental health.)

Public service announcements (PSAs) in subways and buses also use this term. These ads often encourage people to '关爱心理健康，建设和谐社会' (Care for mental health, build a harmonious society). In these contexts, mental health is linked to social stability and collective well-being, reflecting the communal values of Chinese culture.

Daily Conversations: Among younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials), it's common to hear: '我最近在关注我的心理健康' (I've been focusing on my mental health lately).

社交媒体有时会损害我们的心理健康。 (Social media sometimes damages our mental health.)

心理咨询师是心理健康的守护者。 (Psychological counselors are the guardians of mental health.)

我们需要打破关于心理健康的偏见。 (We need to break the stigma surrounding mental health.)

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using 心理健康 (xīnlǐ jiànkāng) is treating it as an adjective. In English, we can say 'I am mentally healthy.' In Chinese, you cannot say '我很心理健康.' '心理健康' is a noun phrase. To express the same idea, you must say '我的心理很健康' (My psychology is very healthy) or '我是一个心理健康的人' (I am a mentally healthy person).

Confusing with '心情' (Xīnqíng): Learners often use '心理健康' when they just mean 'mood' (心情). If you are sad for one afternoon, your '心情' is bad, but your '心理健康' (overall mental health) is likely still fine.

错误：他今天不心理健康。 (Incorrect: He is not mental health today.)
正确：他今天的心理状态不太好。 (Correct: His mental state isn't very good today.)

Another mistake is the confusion between '心理健康' and '精神健康' (jīngshén jiànkāng). While they are often interchangeable, '精神' can carry a stronger connotation of clinical psychiatry or 'spirit.' Using '精神健康' in a casual conversation about stress might sound slightly too medical or intense for some listeners. '心理健康' is the safer, more common term for everyday well-being.

Misusing '心理' vs '心态': '心理' refers to the science or the state of the mind. '心态' (xīntài) refers to one's 'mindset' or 'attitude.' If you want to say someone has a 'healthy mindset,' use '心态好,' not '心理健康.'

错误：我们要保持心理健康地生活。 (Incorrect: We should live mental healthily.)
正确：我们要保持心理健康，快乐地生活。 (Correct: We should maintain mental health and live happily.)

Lastly, be careful with the word '心理' (xīnlǐ) when used alone. It can mean 'psychology' as a subject, or 'inner thoughts/feelings.' For example, '他的心理很复杂' (His inner thoughts are complex). Don't assume adding '健康' is always necessary if you are just talking about someone's internal experience. However, if you are specifically referring to the health of that experience, '心理健康' is the correct term.

Word Order Errors: English speakers might try to say '健康心理' (healthy psychology). While this is grammatically possible, '心理健康' (mental health) is the fixed standard term for the concept.

我们需要关注孩子的心理健康，而不仅仅是成绩。 (We need to focus on children's mental health, not just their grades.)

运动不仅对身体好，对心理健康也有好处。 (Exercise is not only good for the body but also for mental health.)

不要因为工作而牺牲你的心理健康。 (Don't sacrifice your mental health for work.)

Understanding 心理健康 (xīnlǐ jiànkāng) involves knowing its neighbors in the semantic field. There are several terms that overlap but carry different nuances. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about a clinical state, a temporary mood, or a general attitude toward life.

心理健康 vs 精神健康 (Jīngshén jiànkāng): '心理健康' is the standard term for psychological well-being. '精神健康' is often used in more formal, medical, or legal contexts (e.g., the Mental Health Law is '精神卫生法'). '精神' can also refer to 'spirit' or 'energy.'

相比精神健康，心理健康听起来更日常。 (Compared to 'jīngshén jiànkāng', 'xīnlǐ jiànkāng' sounds more everyday.)

Another important alternative is 心态 (xīntài). While '心理健康' refers to the health status of the mind, '心态' refers to one's 'mindset' or 'mentality.' If you have a 'good mindset' (心态好), you are likely to have good '心理健康,' but they are not the same thing. '心态' is much more common in casual conversation when encouraging someone to be optimistic.

心理健康 vs 心理素质 (Xīnlǐ sùzhì): '心理素质' refers to 'psychological quality' or 'mental toughness.' It describes how well someone handles pressure or competition. An athlete needs good '心理素质' to win a game.

他的心理健康状况得到了改善。 (His mental health status has improved.)

Then there is 心理状态 (xīnlǐ zhuàngtài), which means 'mental state.' This is more neutral and descriptive. It doesn't imply health or illness, just the current condition of the mind. You might say someone's '心理状态很稳定' (mental state is very stable). Lastly, 身心健康 (shēnxīn jiànkāng) is a very common idiomatic phrase meaning 'physical and mental health.' Use this when you want to sound more holistic and balanced.

Summary of Alternatives: 1. 精神健康: Clinical/Formal. 2. 心态: Mindset/Attitude. 3. 心理素质: Resilience. 4. 心理状态: Current state. 5. 身心健康: Holistic health.

保持积极的心理健康需要长期的努力。 (Maintaining positive mental health requires long-term effort.)

我们要学会调节自己的心理健康。 (We should learn to regulate our own mental health.)

这个讲座是关于如何提升心理健康的。 (This lecture is about how to enhance mental health.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Chinese, '心' (heart) was believed to be the organ responsible for thinking, which is why almost all words related to the mind or emotions in Chinese contain the '心' radical.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃiːn liː dʒjɛn kɑːŋ/

US /ʃin li dʒjæn kɑŋ/

In Chinese, each syllable has equal weight, but the 4th tone on 'jiàn' often sounds more emphatic.

Rhymes With

理 (lǐ) rhymes with 米 (mǐ), 笔 (bǐ), 己 (jǐ). 康 (kāng) rhymes with 忙 (máng), 房 (fáng), 羊 (yáng).

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'x' like English 'z' or 'ks'.
Ignoring the 3rd tone on 'lǐ', making it sound like 'lì'.
Merging 'jian' and 'kang' into one blurred sound.
Confusing 'jiàn' (4th tone) with 'jiān' (1st tone).
Failing to aspirate the 'k' in 'kang' correctly.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are somewhat complex but common in high-frequency contexts.

Writing 4/5

Characters like '健' and '康' can be tricky for beginners to write stroke-perfect.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward once you master the 'x' and 'j' sounds.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound that is easy to pick out in a sentence.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

心健康压力问题好

Learn Next

心理医生咨询情绪心态精神

Advanced

抑郁症焦虑干预韧性社会心理学

Grammar to Know

Noun as Modifier

心理健康 + 教育 (Mental health education)

Prepositional Phrase with 对

对心理健康 + 有好处 (Is good for mental health)

Possessive Structure

员工的 + 心理健康 (Employees' mental health)

Verb-Object Construction

维护 + 心理健康 (Maintain mental health)

Subject-Adjective

心理健康 + 很重要 (Mental health is important)

Examples by Level

我身体健康。

I am physically healthy.

A1 focuses on the root word '健康' (health).

老师说心理健康很重要。

The teacher says mental health is very important.

Simple Subject + 很 + Adjective structure.

你要开心，心理才健康。

You need to be happy for your mind to be healthy.

Using '才' to show a condition for health.

什么是心理健康？

What is mental health?

Standard 'What is...?' question pattern.

多休息对健康有好处。

Resting more is good for health.

对...有好处 (is good for...).

我的心很健康。

My heart/mind is very healthy.

Using '心' in the sense of 'mind/feelings' at a basic level.

心理健康课很有趣。

The mental health class is very interesting.

Using '心理健康' as a noun modifier for '课' (class).

爸爸关注我的健康。

Dad cares about my health.

Simple Verb-Object: 关注 + 健康.

运动有利于心理健康。

Exercise is beneficial to mental health.

Using '有利于' (is beneficial to).

我们要重视心理健康。

We should value mental health.

Using '重视' (to value/attach importance to).

压力大会影响心理健康。

High pressure will affect mental health.

Using '影响' (to affect) as a verb.

他去听心理健康讲座。

He went to listen to a mental health lecture.

Noun compound: 心理健康 + 讲座.

良好的睡眠对心理健康很重要。

Good sleep is very important for mental health.

Adjective + Noun + 对...很重要.

学校有心理健康中心吗？

Does the school have a mental health center?

Question using '吗' with a compound noun.

这本书是关于心理健康的。

This book is about mental health.

关于...的 (about ...).

朋友的关心对心理健康有帮助。

Friends' care is helpful for mental health.

Possessive '的' with '有帮助' (is helpful).

他因为心理健康问题请了假。

He took leave because of mental health problems.

Using '因为...而...' or just '因为' for cause.

社会应该更多地关注老人的心理健康。

Society should pay more attention to the mental health of the elderly.

Using '更多地' (more/to a greater extent) as an adverb.

心理健康咨询可以帮助你缓解压力。

Mental health counseling can help you relieve stress.

Compound: 心理健康 + 咨询 (counseling).

保持心理健康需要学会自我调节。

Maintaining mental health requires learning self-regulation.

Using '需要' (requires) followed by a verb phrase.

这种环境不利于员工的心理健康。

This kind of environment is not conducive to employees' mental health.

Using '不利于' (is not conducive to).

我们要提高对心理健康的认识。

We need to improve our understanding of mental health.

提高...认识 (improve understanding/awareness).

心理健康是幸福生活的基础。

Mental health is the foundation of a happy life.

A 是 B 的基础 (A is the foundation of B).

他正在写一篇关于青少年心理健康的报告。

He is writing a report on the mental health of teenagers.

Progressive aspect '正在' with a long object.

为了维护心理健康，他决定辞去这份高压工作。

In order to maintain his mental health, he decided to quit this high-pressure job.

Using '为了...决定...' (In order to... decided to...).

心理健康教育在大学课程中占据了重要地位。

Mental health education occupies an important position in university curricula.

占据...地位 (occupy a position).

互联网对青少年的心理健康产生了深远的影响。

The internet has had a profound impact on the mental health of teenagers.

对...产生了...的影响 (had an impact on...).

我们应当消除对心理健康患者的歧视。

We should eliminate discrimination against mental health patients.

消除...歧视 (eliminate discrimination).

心理健康评估是入职体检的一部分。

Mental health assessment is part of the pre-employment physical exam.

A 是 B 的一部分 (A is part of B).

通过心理健康干预，许多人的症状得到了缓解。

Through mental health intervention, many people's symptoms have been relieved.

通过...得到了... (Through... achieved...).

心理健康状况的恶化引起了社会的广泛关注。

The deterioration of mental health status has aroused widespread social concern.

引起...关注 (arouse concern).

良好的心态是保持心理健康的关键因素。

A good mindset is a key factor in maintaining mental health.

A 是 B 的关键因素 (A is a key factor of B).

该研究探讨了社会经济地位与心理健康之间的相关性。

The study explored the correlation between socioeconomic status and mental health.

探讨...之间的相关性 (explore the correlation between...).

心理健康不仅仅是缺乏疾病，更是积极的心理功能状态。

Mental health is not just the absence of disease, but a state of positive psychological functioning.

不仅仅是...更是... (Not just... but even more...).

政府应加大投入，完善基层心理健康服务体系。

The government should increase investment and improve the basic mental health service system.

加大投入...完善体系 (increase investment... improve system).

长期暴露于噪音污染中会严重损害居民的心理健康。

Long-term exposure to noise pollution will seriously damage the mental health of residents.

长期暴露于... (Long-term exposure to...).

心理健康素养的提升有助于个体更好地应对生活挑战。

The improvement of mental health literacy helps individuals better cope with life challenges.

...的提升有助于... (The improvement of ... helps to ...).

在快节奏的城市生活中，心理健康往往被人们所忽视。

In the fast-paced urban life, mental health is often neglected by people.

Passive voice using '被...所忽视'.

心理健康问题的污名化阻碍了患者寻求专业帮助。

The stigmatization of mental health issues prevents patients from seeking professional help.

...阻碍了... ( ... hindered ... ).

跨文化心理学研究揭示了不同民族对心理健康的不同认知。

Cross-cultural psychology research reveals different perceptions of mental health among different ethnic groups.

揭示了... (revealed ...).

心理健康的定义随着社会范式的变迁而不断演进。

The definition of mental health evolves continuously with the transition of social paradigms.

随着...而... (along with... [consequent action]).

我们必须审视现代性如何重塑了人类的心理健康版图。

We must examine how modernity has reshaped the landscape of human mental health.

审视...如何重塑 (examine how ... reshaped).

心理健康不应被狭隘地理解为适应现状，而应包括对异化的反抗。

Mental health should not be narrowly understood as adapting to the status quo, but should include resistance to alienation.

不应被狭隘地理解为...而应包括... (Should not be narrowly understood as... but should include...).

数字化生存对人类心理健康的潜在威胁已引起学界的深刻反思。

The potential threats of digital existence to human mental health have aroused profound reflection in academia.

...的潜在威胁已引起... (The potential threat of ... has caused ...).

心理健康政策的制定需兼顾科学严谨性与人文关怀。

The formulation of mental health policy needs to balance scientific rigor with humanistic care.

需兼顾...与... (Need to take into account both ... and ...).

该著作对心理健康的本体论地位进行了深入的哲学探讨。

This work carries out an in-depth philosophical exploration of the ontological status of mental health.

对...进行了...探讨 (Carried out a discussion on ...).

在资本逻辑的驱动下，心理健康有时被异化为一种可消费的商品。

Driven by the logic of capital, mental health is sometimes alienated into a consumable commodity.

在...驱动下 (Driven by ...).

维护心理健康是一场涉及个体、家庭及整个社会体系的系统工程。

Maintaining mental health is a systematic project involving individuals, families, and the entire social system.

是一场涉及...的系统工程 (Is a systematic project involving ...).

Synonyms

精神健康心理状态心态情绪健康心理素质心境精神状态内心健康

Antonyms

心理疾病心理问题精神失常心态失衡

Common Collocations

维护心理健康

关注心理健康

重视心理健康

心理健康教育

心理健康咨询

心理健康标准

心理健康讲座

损害心理健康

心理健康状况

心理健康中心

Common Phrases

身心健康

— Refers to both physical and mental health. It is the most common way to talk about overall well-being.

祝你身体健康，身心健康。

心理健康日

— World Mental Health Day (October 10th). Used in public awareness campaigns.

今天是世界心理健康日。

心理健康素养

— Mental health literacy. The knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders.

提高国民的心理健康素养非常重要。

心理健康干预

— Psychological intervention. Actions taken to improve mental health.

及时的心理健康干预可以预防悲剧。

心理健康评估

— Mental health assessment. A professional evaluation of mental state.

入职前需要进行心理健康评估。

心理健康服务

— Mental health services. Facilities and professionals providing care.

社区提供免费的心理健康服务。

心理健康小贴士

— Mental health tips. Short pieces of advice for well-being.

这里有一些保持心理健康的小贴士。

心理健康档案

— Mental health records/files. Often kept by schools or hospitals.

每个学生都有自己的心理健康档案。

心理健康热线

— Mental health hotline. A phone service for support.

如果你感到难过，可以拨打心理健康热线。

关注心理健康，关爱生命

— A common slogan: 'Focus on mental health, care for life.'

我们的口号是：关注心理健康，关爱生命。

Often Confused With

心理健康 vs 心情

Refers to temporary mood, whereas '心理健康' is a long-term state.

心理健康 vs 心态

Refers to attitude/mindset, '心理健康' refers to health status.

心理健康 vs 心理学

The study of psychology, not the state of health itself.

Idioms & Expressions

"身心交瘁"

— To be physically and mentally exhausted. Often used when mental health is failing due to overwork.

长期的加班让他身心交瘁。

Formal/Literary

"心平气和"

— Even-tempered and good-humored; calm. A sign of good mental health.

我们要心平气和地解决问题。

Common

"忧心忡忡"

— To be heavy-hearted or full of anxiety. Describes poor mental health status.

他整天忧心忡忡，不知道在担心什么。

Literary

"豁然开朗"

— Suddenly seeing the light; a sudden change from confusion to understanding. A positive mental shift.

听了老师的话，他顿时豁然开朗。

Common

"心神不定"

— To be restless or uneasy. A symptom of anxiety.

考试前，他总是心神不定。

Common

"自强不息"

— To strive for self-improvement constantly. Often linked to a healthy, resilient mindset.

中华民族具有自强不息的精神。

Formal

"郁郁寡欢"

— To be depressed and cheerless. Describes a lack of mental well-being.

自从失业后，他就一直郁郁寡欢。

Literary

"提心吊胆"

— To be on tenterhooks; to be very anxious. Describes a state of constant fear.

他整天提心吊胆地生活，心理健康出了问题。

Common

"泰然自若"

— To be as cool as a cucumber; to stay calm and collected. A sign of high psychological quality.

面对困难，他依然泰然自若。

Literary

"心满意足"

— To be perfectly satisfied. A state of contentment associated with health.

他过着心满意足的生活。

Common

Easily Confused

心理健康 vs 精神

Both refer to the mind.

精神 is broader, encompassing energy, spirit, and clinical psychiatry. 心理 is more focused on psychological processes.

他很有精神 (He has a lot of energy) vs 他心理很健康 (He is mentally healthy).

心理健康 vs 素质

Both are used to describe a person's mental state.

素质 refers to innate or trained quality/capability. 健康 refers to the absence of illness and presence of well-being.

心理素质好 (Good mental toughness).

心理健康 vs 状态

Both describe how a person is feeling.

状态 is neutral (state). 健康 is positive (health).

现在的状态 (Current state).

心理健康 vs 卫生

Both can relate to health.

卫生 usually means hygiene or public health systems. 健康 is the state of being healthy.

精神卫生法 (Mental Health Law).

心理健康 vs 情绪

Emotions are part of mental health.

情绪 is specific to feelings (sad, happy). 心理健康 is the overall system.

情绪不稳定 (Emotional instability).

Sentence Patterns

...对心理健康很有好处。

散步对心理健康很有好处。

我们要重视...

我们要重视心理健康。

因为...，他的心理健康受到了影响。

因为失业，他的心理健康受到了影响。

...是维护心理健康的重要方式。

交流是维护心理健康的重要方式。

不仅...，还对心理健康有好处。

运动不仅能强身健体，还对心理健康有好处。

随着...，心理健康问题日益突出。

随着竞争加剧，心理健康问题日益突出。

应当把...纳入心理健康服务体系。

应当把情绪管理纳入心理健康服务体系。

...与心理健康之间存在着复杂的互动关系。

社会环境与心理健康之间存在着复杂的互动关系。

Word Family

Nouns

心理学 (Psychology)

心理医生 (Psychiatrist/Psychologist)

心理咨询师 (Counselor)

心理状态 (Mental state)

Verbs

理会 (To pay attention to)

康复 (To recover health)

Adjectives

心理的 (Psychological)

健康的 (Healthy)

康健 (Strong and healthy)

精神 (Spirit/Mind)

情绪 (Emotion)

压力 (Pressure)

平衡 (Balance)

意识 (Awareness)

How to Use It

frequency

High, especially in urban environments and social media.

Common Mistakes

我很心理健康。 → 我的心理很健康。
You cannot use the noun phrase '心理健康' as a predicate adjective with '很'.
他今天心理健康不好。 → 他今天的心理状态不好。
If referring to a temporary mood or state, use '状态' (state) or '心情' (mood) instead of the broad term '健康'.
我们要学习心理健康。 → 我们要学习心理健康知识。
You don't 'learn' mental health; you learn 'knowledge' (知识) about it.
身体健康和心理。 → 身体健康和心理健康。
In a parallel structure, both terms should be complete. '心理' is just 'psychology/mental'.
他有心理健康。 → 他的心理很健康。
In Chinese, we don't usually say someone 'has' mental health in the same way we might in English. We describe the state of their psychology.

Tips

Use it as a Noun

Always remember that 心理健康 is a noun. If you want to describe someone, use '的' as in '心理健康的人'.

Holistic View

In China, mental health is often linked to '身心健康' (body and mind health). Mentioning both shows a deeper cultural understanding.

Mindset vs. Health

Don't confuse '心理健康' (health) with '心态' (mindset). If someone is pessimistic, they have a bad '心态', not necessarily poor '心理健康'.

Tone Accuracy

The 3rd tone on 'lǐ' followed by the 4th tone on 'jiàn' requires a clear dip and then a sharp drop. Practice this transition.

Character Balance

The character '康' has many strokes. Ensure the bottom part '氺' is centered under the '广' and '隶' parts.

Context Clues

If you hear '压力' (pressure) or '咨询' (counseling), '心理健康' is likely the topic of conversation.

Breaking Stigma

Using the term '心理健康' is seen as modern and scientific, helping to reduce the stigma of traditional 'mental illness' labels.

Workplace Wellness

In a job interview, mentioning that you value '心理健康' can show that you have good self-management skills.

Compound Power

Learn the compound '心理健康教育' early, as it's a very common phrase in Chinese media and schools.

Family Talk

Use this term when discussing the well-being of family members to show you care about their internal state, not just their physical health.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Xin' as your heart, 'Li' as the logic inside it. 'Jian' is a strong person, and 'Kang' is a peaceful home. Mental health is when your Heart-Logic is Strong and Peaceful.

Visual Association

Imagine a brain lifting weights (Jian) while sitting on a meditation cushion (Kang).

Word Web

心 (Heart) 心理 (Psychology) 心理学 (Psychology study) 健康 (Health) 身体健康 (Physical health) 身心健康 (Holistic health) 心理医生 (Doctor) 压力 (Stress)

Challenge

Write three sentences about how you maintain your mental health using the word '心理健康' and share them with a friend.

Word Origin

The term is a modern compound. '心理' (xīnlǐ) was adopted in the late 19th/early 20th century to translate the Western concept of 'psychology.' '健康' (jiànkāng) is an ancient term used in classical texts to describe physical vigor and peace.

Original meaning: 'Xīn' means heart, 'Lǐ' means the grain in jade or reason. 'Jiàn' means strong, 'Kāng' means ease/peace.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this term with very elderly or traditional people; they might find the topic uncomfortable or interpret it as a clinical diagnosis rather than general well-being.

In English, 'mental health' is very common and has lost much of its stigma. In Chinese, '心理健康' is similarly becoming normalized but still carries a slightly more formal or 'educated' tone.

The 'Mental Health Law of the People's Republic of China' (2013). World Mental Health Day activities in major Chinese cities. Popular TV shows like 'Psychologist' (女心理师) which popularized mental health themes.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

School/University

心理健康教育
考试压力
心理老师
同学关系

Workplace

工作压力
职业倦怠
员工关怀
加班文化

Medical/Hospital

心理咨询
心理评估
治疗方案
康复建议

Social Media

自我关爱
心理健康贴士
拒绝焦虑
正能量

Family

沟通交流
孩子心理
老人关怀
家庭和谐

Conversation Starters

"你觉得现在的年轻人心理健康压力大吗？"

"你平时是怎么维护自己的心理健康的？"

"你认为学校应该开设心理健康课吗？"

"运动对你的心理健康有帮助吗？"

"如果你感到压力很大，你会寻求心理健康咨询吗？"

Journal Prompts

今天我做了一件对心理健康有益的事情，那是...

当我感到心理健康受到威胁时，我通常会...

写一封信给未来的自己，谈谈对心理健康的看法。

描述一个你认为心理健康状况非常理想的人。

如果我可以改变社会的一件事来改善大家的心理健康，我会...

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it is a noun. You cannot say '我很心理健康.' Instead, say '我的心理很健康' or '我是一个心理健康的人.'

They are very similar, but 心理健康 is used more for general well-being and counseling, while 精神健康 is often used in medical or legal contexts like '精神病院' (mental hospital).

It used to be, but it is becoming much more open. Younger people talk about it freely, while older people might still be a bit reserved.

You can say '心理健康意识' (xīnlǐ jiànkāng yìshí).

Common verbs include 维护 (maintain), 关注 (pay attention to), 重视 (value), and 改善 (improve).

Literally, 'xīn' (心) means heart, but in this context, it refers to the mind or soul, as ancient Chinese believed the heart was the center of thought.

You can say '我的心理健康出现了一些问题' (My mental health has some problems) or '我最近心理压力很大' (I have a lot of psychological pressure lately).

It is '世界心理健康日' (Shìjiè Xīnlǐ Jiànkāng Rì).

In some contexts, you can just say '心理' (psychology/mental), but '心理健康' is the full, correct term for the concept of health.

Yes, '儿童心理健康' (child mental health) is a very common topic of discussion in schools and parenting.