A2 noun Informal 1 min read

心头

xin tou /xɪn tʰoʊ/

Xintou refers to the inner heart or mind, expressing feelings and concerns.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Refers to the inner heart or mind.
  • Expresses feelings, thoughts, or concerns.
  • Common in everyday spoken Chinese.

Overview

“心头”是一个非常常用的中文词语,它指的是内心、心里,尤其强调的是内心的感受、想法或牵挂。它不像“心脏”那样指代生理器官,而是更侧重于精神和情感层面。这个词在日常交流中非常普遍,尤其是在表达一些比较个人化、内在化的感受时。

“心头”通常用在动词后面,构成“心头+动词”的结构,表示在心里去做某事或有某种感受。例如,“心头一震”、“心头一喜”、“心头一酸”、“心头挂念”等。它也可以单独使用,表示“在心里”或“内心的”。例如,“这件事一直在我心头”。

这个词常见于日常口语和非正式的书面语中。比如,在描述一个人听到或看到某事时的反应时,常会用到“心头”。例如:“听到这个消息,我心头一紧。”;在表达思念或牵挂时,也常用:“远方的亲人一直在我心头。”;或者在描述突然的顿悟或感受时:“他的一句话,让我心头豁然开朗。”

“心”是最基础的词,可以指心脏(生理器官),也可以指内心、思想、感情。它比“心头”更广泛,也更书面化一些。“心头”则更侧重于内心深处的感受和牵挂,带有一种更具体、更形象的意味。

“心里”和“心头”非常接近,都表示内心。但“心里”更偏向于描述一个状态或位置,如“我在心里想”、“你心里怎么想的?”。“心头”则更常用于表达一种突然的感受或持续的牵挂,如“心头一动”、“心头大石落地”。

“脑海”指的是头脑里,更偏向于思维、记忆和想法。“心头”则更侧重于情感和感受。虽然有时会交叉使用,但“心头”的情感色彩更浓厚。

Examples

1

听到这个好消息,我心头一喜。

everyday

Hearing this good news, I felt a joy in my heart.

2

远方的父母,一直是我心头最深的牵挂。

informal

My parents, who are far away, have always been the deepest concern in my heart.

3

这个问题在我心头盘旋了很久。

neutral

This problem has been lingering in my mind for a long time.

4

他心头一紧,预感有什么不好的事情要发生。

everyday

His heart tightened, sensing that something bad was about to happen.

Common Collocations

心头一震 heart skipped a beat; startled
心头大石落地 a weight lifted off one's mind
心头挂念 to be concerned about; to miss
心头一酸 felt a pang of sadness

Common Phrases

心头一震

startled; a jolt to the heart

心头大石落地

a great weight off one's mind

心头挂念

to be concerned about; to miss someone/something

Often Confused With

心头 vs 心里

'心里' (xin li) is very similar and often interchangeable, but '心头' (xin tou) can sometimes carry a slightly stronger emotional weight or imply a more sudden feeling or persistent concern.

心头 vs

'心' (xin) is a broader term for heart or mind. It can refer to the physical organ or abstract concepts like thought and emotion. '心头' specifically refers to the inner emotional or mental space.

Grammar Patterns

心头 + verb (e.g., 心头一震, 心头挂念) 在...心头 (e.g., 这件事总在我心头)

How to Use It

Usage Notes

The term '心头' is primarily used in informal spoken Chinese and some informal written contexts. It's less common in very formal or academic writing. It often appears in set phrases or collocations to describe specific emotional reactions or states.


Common Mistakes

Learners might overuse '心头' in situations where '心里' or '心中' would be more natural, or they might mistakenly use it to refer to the physical heart. Avoid using it in highly formal or technical contexts.

Tips

💡

Think of 'Heart's Core'

Imagine '心头' as the very core of your heart, where deep feelings and thoughts reside.

⚠️

Avoid Physiological Use

Remember, '心头' is almost always figurative. Don't use it when referring to the physical organ.

🌍

Emphasizing Inner World

Chinese culture often values introspection and inner feelings, making words like '心头' very relevant in expressing personal emotional states.

Word Origin

The word '心头' is a combination of '心' (heart/mind) and '头' (head/top). It literally suggests the 'top part of the heart' or the 'mind's core', emphasizing the inner emotional and mental space.

Cultural Context

The use of '心头' reflects the cultural emphasis on inner feelings and emotional states in Chinese communication. It allows speakers to express nuanced personal experiences and emotional responses.

Memory Tip

Think of '心头' as the 'top' of your heart, where your most immediate feelings and worries are located.

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions

“心头”和“心里”都表示内心,但“心头”更常用来表达一种突然的感受、触动或持续的牵挂,带有更强的感情色彩。而“心里”更常用来描述一个状态或想法,如“我在心里想”。

不可以。“心头”主要用于比喻意义,指内心的感受、想法或精神层面,而不是指实际跳动的心脏器官。

“心头”适合用于日常口语和非正式的写作,尤其是在表达个人情感、内心触动、思念牵挂等场景时。

有的,比如“心头一震”(表示震惊或触动)、“心头大石落地”(表示放下担忧)、“心头挂念”(表示牵挂)等。

Test Yourself

fill blank

听到这个不幸的消息,他感到一阵______的悲伤。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 心头

“心头”在这里表示内心的、深切的悲伤感受,符合语境。

multiple choice

哪句话正确地使用了“心头”?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: c

“心头萦绕”表示某事一直在脑海中或心中挥之不去,符合“心头”的用法。A选项“心头很累”口语中可能理解,但不如“心里累”常用。B选项“放在心头”不如“放在心上”或“记在心头”自然。D选项“心头跳得很快”应为“心跳得很快”或“心跳加速”。

sentence building

用“心头”、“挂念”、“一直”、“我”组成句子。

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: a

“我一直心头挂念”是符合中文语法的句子,表示一直很牵挂。

Score: /3

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