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B1 noun #8,000 most common 14 min read

心理学

xinlixue Top 8,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 心理学 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 心理学 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '心理学' (xīnlǐxué) is the name of a subject, just like 'math' or 'English'. You might use it to say what you are studying or what books you like. It is a noun. You don't need to worry about complex grammar. Just remember the three characters: 心 (heart), 理 (logic), 学 (study). Think of it as 'the study of the heart'. You can say '我喜欢心理学' (I like psychology) or '这是心理学书' (This is a psychology book). Even at this level, knowing this word is useful because many people are interested in it. You might hear it in a classroom or see it on a book cover. It's pronounced 'sheen-lee-shway'. Keep your sentences simple and focus on identifying the word when you see it in a list of university majors or hobby topics.

For A2 learners, you can start using '心理学' in slightly longer sentences. You should be able to say things like '我打算在大学学心理学' (I plan to study psychology in university) or '他是一位心理学老师' (He is a psychology teacher). At this stage, you should understand that '学' at the end of the word means 'the study of'. This will help you recognize other subjects like '社会学' (sociology). You should also begin to notice the difference between '心理学' (the subject) and '心理' (the feeling or mind). For example, you can say '心理学很有趣' (Psychology is very interesting). You are expanding your vocabulary to include academic and professional terms, and '心理学' is a very common one in modern Chinese conversations about hobbies and careers.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '心理学' as a modifier and understanding its role in compound terms. You can now talk about different branches like '儿童心理学' (child psychology) or '社会心理学' (social psychology). You should be able to explain why you are interested in it: '我对心理学感兴趣，因为我想了解人们的行为' (I'm interested in psychology because I want to understand people's behavior). You will also encounter it in more varied contexts, such as articles about health or education. You should be careful not to confuse it with '心理' (mentality). At this level, you can also start using the term '心理学家' (psychologist). Your sentences should show a clear understanding that psychology is a scientific discipline with various applications in daily life and work.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use '心理学' in more formal and abstract discussions. You might use phrases like '从心理学的角度来看' (From a psychological perspective) to introduce an opinion in a debate or essay. You should understand the nuances of how psychology is applied in different fields, such as '消费心理学' (consumer psychology) in business or '犯罪心理学' (criminal psychology) in law. You should be able to discuss psychological theories or effects using the word, such as '心理学效应'. Your vocabulary should also include related terms like '心理咨询' (psychological counseling) and '心理素质' (psychological quality/resilience). You are now moving beyond simple descriptions to using the term as a tool for analysis and professional communication.

For C1 learners, '心理学' is a term you should be able to use in academic or highly professional settings. You should be familiar with its historical development in China and its intersection with other disciplines like '神经科学' (neuroscience) and '哲学' (philosophy). You can engage in deep discussions about '积极心理学' (positive psychology) or '进化心理学' (evolutionary psychology). You should be able to read academic papers or news reports that use the term to analyze complex social phenomena. Your usage should be precise, distinguishing between '心理学' as a science and '心理' as a subjective experience. You might also explore the cultural differences in how psychology is practiced in the West versus China, using the word to anchor your comparative analysis.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '心理学' and its place in the Chinese linguistic and cultural landscape. You can discuss the epistemological foundations of the discipline or critique different psychological paradigms in fluent Chinese. You understand the subtle connotations of the term when it appears in literature, high-level journalism, or specialized academic discourse. You can use '心理学' to discuss the 'mentality of a nation' or the 'psychology of an era' with sophisticated rhetorical flair. You are aware of the latest trends in Chinese psychological research and can contribute to professional dialogues in the field. The word is no longer just a vocabulary item; it is a conceptual framework that you can manipulate with precision and elegance in any context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

心理学 in 30 Seconds

Psychology (心理学) is the science of the mind and behavior, exploring how we think and act.
The word consists of 'heart' (心), 'logic' (理), and 'study' (学), meaning the study of the heart's logic.
It is a versatile term used in academic, clinical, corporate, and casual daily life contexts in China.
Understanding the difference between the subject (心理学) and the state of mind (心理) is key for learners.

The word 心理学 (xīnlǐxué) is the standard Chinese term for the scientific study of the human mind and behavior. To understand this word deeply, we must look at its three constituent characters: 心 (xīn) meaning heart or mind, 理 (lǐ) meaning logic, principles, or patterns, and 学 (xué) meaning study or science. Together, they literally translate to the 'science of the patterns of the heart.' In modern Chinese, this term is used exactly as 'psychology' is used in English, covering everything from academic research and clinical therapy to the casual observation of human nature. While the concept of understanding the human spirit has existed in Chinese philosophy for millennia—think of the works of Mencius or Xunzi—the specific term '心理学' was adopted as a loanword from Japanese (shinrigaku) during the late 19th century as Western scientific disciplines were introduced to East Asia.

Academic Context: In universities, it refers to the formal major. Students will say '我是心理学专业的' (I am a psychology major). It encompasses branches like developmental psychology (发育心理学) and social psychology (社会心理学).

他正在大学里学习心理学，希望能成为一名咨询师。(He is studying psychology at the university, hoping to become a counselor.)

In daily life, the term often surfaces when discussing why people act the way they do. However, a common cultural nuance in China is the distinction between 'psychology' as a science and 'reading minds.' Many laypeople might jokingly ask a psychology student, '你能看透我的心吗？' (Can you see through my heart/read my mind?), conflating the scientific discipline with a form of mysticism. This provides an excellent opportunity to use the word in a clarifying context: '心理学不是读心术' (Psychology is not mind-reading). Furthermore, the word is increasingly common in the corporate world, particularly in Human Resources and marketing, where '消费者心理学' (consumer psychology) is a vital tool for understanding market trends and building brand loyalty.

Professional Usage: Professionals use it to describe evidence-based practices. For example, '心理学研究表明' (Psychological research shows) is a common way to start an authoritative statement in a report or article.

这本关于心理学的书非常畅销。(This book about psychology is a bestseller.)

Another important aspect is the rise of 'Positive Psychology' (积极心理学) in contemporary Chinese urban culture. As the pace of life accelerates in cities like Shanghai and Beijing, there is a growing interest in using psychological principles to achieve happiness and work-life balance. You will hear the word used in podcasts, self-help seminars, and mental health awareness campaigns. It is no longer just a sterile academic subject; it has become a practical toolkit for modern living. When using the word, ensure you are referring to the field of study or the overarching principles. If you want to talk about how someone feels internally, you would drop the '学' and just use '心理'. For instance, '心理压力' (psychological pressure) rather than '心理学压力'.

掌握一些心理学知识对人际交往很有帮助。(Mastering some psychology knowledge is very helpful for interpersonal communication.)

Clinical Setting: In a medical or therapeutic setting, '心理学' provides the framework for treatment. A '心理学家' (psychologist) uses these theories to help patients navigate complex emotional landscapes.

儿童心理学关注孩子在成长过程中的行为变化。(Child psychology focuses on the behavioral changes of children during their growth process.)

他打算跨专业考心理学的研究生。(He plans to change his major and take the entrance exam for a master's degree in psychology.)

Using 心理学 (xīnlǐxué) in a sentence is relatively straightforward because it functions primarily as a noun. However, its placement and the words it pairs with can change the tone from casual to academic. As a subject, it often initiates a statement about the field itself. For example, '心理学是一门科学' (Psychology is a science). In this structure, you are defining the nature of the discipline. When used as an object, it usually follows verbs of study or interest, such as 学习 (xuéxí - to study), 研究 (yánjiū - to research), or 感兴趣 (gǎn xìngqù - to be interested in). For instance, '我对犯罪心理学很感兴趣' (I am very interested in criminal psychology).

The 'Modifier' Role: One of the most common ways to use '心理学' is as an attributive noun to modify another noun. In this case, it often doesn't need the possessive particle '的' (de) if the relationship is direct and formal. Examples include 心理学教授 (psychology professor), 心理学实验 (psychology experiment), and 心理学理论 (psychology theory).

这位心理学专家的讲座吸引了很多人。(This psychology expert's lecture attracted many people.)

When you are describing the application of psychology to a specific field, you place the field name before '心理学'. This creates a compound noun. Common combinations include 教育心理学 (educational psychology), 临床心理学 (clinical psychology), and 进化心理学 (evolutionary psychology). Note that when translating from English, the order remains the same: [Field] + 心理学. If you want to say 'the psychology of [something]', you might use the pattern '[something] + 的 + 心理学'. For example, '投资的心理学' (the psychology of investing). However, in many cases, it's more natural to use '心理' (mentality) instead of the full '心理学' (the study of) if you are referring to the mindset rather than the academic field.

Verb Pairing: Common verbs that take '心理学' as an object: 运用 (yùnyòng - to apply), 探讨 (tàntǎo - to explore/discuss), 普及 (pǔjí - to popularize). For example: '我们要普及心理学知识' (We need to popularize psychology knowledge).

通过运用心理学原理，他成功地改善了团队关系。(By applying psychology principles, he successfully improved team relationships.)

In complex sentences, '心理学' often acts as a pivot for cause-and-effect discussions. For instance, '因为心理学的发展，我们对大脑的了解越来越深' (Because of the development of psychology, our understanding of the brain is getting deeper). It can also be used in comparative structures: '与社会学相比，心理学更侧重于个体行为' (Compared to sociology, psychology focuses more on individual behavior). When writing, ensure you don't confuse it with '心理医生' (psychiatrist/psychologist - literally 'mental doctor'). While '心理学' is the science, the practitioner is a '心理学家' or '心理咨询师'.

他在学术期刊上发表了一篇关于认知心理学的论文。(He published a paper on cognitive psychology in an academic journal.)

Common Collocations: 心理学基础 (foundations of psychology), 心理学背景 (psychology background), 心理学效应 (psychological effect), 心理学实验 (psychological experiment).

如果你想学好心理学，首先要掌握统计学。(If you want to learn psychology well, you must first master statistics.)

这种营销策略充分利用了消费心理学。(This marketing strategy makes full use of consumer psychology.)

In modern China, 心理学 (xīnlǐxué) has moved from the dusty corners of academic libraries into the vibrant center of public discourse. One of the most common places you will hear this word is on social media platforms like WeChat, Douyin (TikTok), and Bilibili. Influencers often break down complex '心理学效应' (psychological effects) to explain social phenomena, relationship dynamics, or productivity hacks. For instance, you might hear a creator explaining the 'Bystander Effect' or 'Confirmation Bias' using the term '心理学'. This 'pop psychology' (大众心理学) has made the term a household name, though sometimes at the cost of scientific accuracy.

In the Workplace: You'll hear '心理学' during HR training sessions or management workshops. Terms like '管理心理学' (management psychology) are used to discuss employee motivation and leadership styles. If a company is going through a restructuring, the HR director might mention the '心理学' of change management.

老板在会议上提到了组织心理学的重要性。(The boss mentioned the importance of organizational psychology during the meeting.)

In the education sector, parents are increasingly obsessed with '教育心理学' (educational psychology). With the high pressure of the Gaokao (college entrance exam), schools often employ '心理学老师' to help students manage stress. You will hear parents discussing whether a particular teaching method aligns with '儿童心理学' (child psychology) at school gates and in parent-teacher groups. This reflects a significant shift in Chinese parenting, moving away from traditional 'tiger parenting' toward a more scientifically informed, emotionally aware approach.

Media and Entertainment: TV dramas and movies often feature protagonists who are '心理学专家'. A famous example is the drama '女心理师' (The Psychologist), which brought clinical psychology into the mainstream spotlight. In these shows, characters use '心理学' to solve crimes or heal deep-seated family traumas.

这部电视剧的主角是一位精通犯罪心理学的警察。(The protagonist of this TV drama is a policeman who is proficient in criminal psychology.)

Finally, in casual conversation among young urbanites, '心理学' is often cited when discussing self-growth. Phrases like '我在学心理学，想更好地了解自己' (I'm studying psychology to understand myself better) are common. It serves as a bridge between the traditional Chinese value of self-cultivation (修身) and modern scientific inquiry. Whether it's a discussion about MBTI personality types (which is currently a massive trend in China) or a serious talk about mental health, the word '心理学' is the linguistic anchor for understanding the internal world.

现在的年轻人越来越关注心理学和心理健康。(Young people today are paying more and more attention to psychology and mental health.)

In News and Reports: News outlets often interview '心理学教授' to provide expert commentary on social trends, such as the 'lying flat' (躺平) movement or the impact of social media on youth.

他在电台主持一个关于心理学的科普节目。(He hosts a popular science program about psychology on the radio.)

这篇报道从心理学的角度分析了网络暴力的成因。(This report analyzed the causes of cyberbullying from a psychological perspective.)

The most frequent mistake learners make with 心理学 (xīnlǐxué) is confusing it with its root word 心理 (xīnlǐ). While '心理学' refers to the study or science of the mind, '心理' refers to the mind itself, a person's mentality, or their psychological state. For example, you cannot say '我有心理学压力' (I have psychology pressure). The correct form is '我有心理压力' (I have psychological pressure). Think of it like the difference between 'Biology' and 'Biological' or 'Life'. '心理学' is the field; '心理' is the subject matter. If you are describing a person's inner thoughts or feelings, use '心理'. If you are talking about the research, theory, or academic field, use '心理学'.

Category Error: Mistake: 他是一个心理学。(He is a psychology.)
Correction: 他是一个心理学家。(He is a psychologist.) or 他是学心理学的。(He studies psychology.)
Explanation: In Chinese, you cannot use the name of a field to describe a person's profession without a suffix like 家 (jiā - specialist) or 师 (shī - master/teacher).

错误：他的心理学很健康。(Wrong: His psychology [the science] is very healthy.)
正确：他的心理很健康。(Right: His mentality/psychological state is very healthy.)

Another common error is the misuse of '心理学' vs '精神病学' (jīngshénbìngxué - psychiatry). Many learners (and even native speakers) use these interchangeably. However, in a professional context, '心理学' covers a wide range of human behavior and mental processes, while '精神病学' is a medical specialty focused specifically on mental disorders and often involves medication. If you are talking about a doctor who prescribes medicine for depression, you are likely talking about a '精神科医生' (psychiatrist), not necessarily a '心理学家'. Using '心理学' when you mean 'psychiatry' can lead to confusion in medical or academic discussions.

Word Order with 'About': Mistake: 一本书心理学 (A book psychology).
Correction: 一本关于心理学的书 (A book about psychology).
Explanation: In Chinese, the 'about [topic]' phrase must come before the noun it modifies, connected by '的'.

错误：我学习心理在大学。(Wrong: I study mentality in university [meaning the major].)
正确：我在大学学习心理学。(Right: I study psychology in university.)

Finally, be careful with the word '读心术' (dúxīnshù - mind-reading). While it's often associated with psychology in pop culture, calling '心理学' '读心术' in an academic or professional setting is considered insulting or ignorant. It's like calling 'Chemistry' 'Alchemy'. Always use the formal term '心理学' unless you are specifically talking about stage magic or sci-fi mind-reading. Also, remember that '心理学' is a noun and cannot be used as a verb. You cannot '心理学' someone; you can '用心理学分析' (use psychology to analyze) someone.

错误：他想心理学他的朋友。(Wrong: He wants to psychology his friend.)
正确：他想用心理学理论来分析他的朋友。(Right: He wants to use psychological theories to analyze his friend.)

Pronunciation Pitfall: Make sure to pronounce 'xīnlǐ' with the third tone on 'lǐ'. If you say 'xīnlì' (fourth tone), it sounds like '心力' (mental energy/effort), which is a different concept entirely.

这门课不是心理学，而是社会学。(This course is not psychology, but sociology.)

很多人误以为心理学就是聊天。(Many people mistakenly think that psychology is just chatting.)

Understanding 心理学 (xīnlǐxué) also requires knowing the related terms that occupy the same semantic space. The most immediate relative is 心理 (xīnlǐ), which we've discussed as meaning 'mentality' or 'psychology' (in the non-academic sense). While '心理学' is the study, '心理' is the object of that study. For example, '消费心理' (consumer mentality) refers to the way consumers think, while '消费心理学' (consumer psychology) is the academic discipline that researches those thoughts. Another close term is 精神医学 (jīngshén yīxué) or 精神病学 (jīngshénbìngxué), which is the medical science of mental illness. This is more clinical and biological than general psychology.

心理学 vs. 心理: Use '心理学' for the science/major. Use '心理' for the state of mind. Example: '心理学是一门复杂的学科' (Psychology is a complex subject) vs '他的心理很复杂' (His mind/mentality is very complex).

比起心理学，他似乎对社会学更感兴趣。(Compared to psychology, he seems more interested in sociology.)

Then there are the 'practitioner' terms. A 心理学家 (xīnlǐxuéjiā) is a psychologist, usually implying someone involved in research or high-level academic work. A 心理咨询师 (xīnlǐ zīxúnshī) is a psychological counselor, the person you would go to for therapy or advice. In a hospital, you would see a 心理医生 (xīnlǐ yīshēng), though this is a somewhat colloquial term that can refer to either a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist. For broader social studies, 社会学 (shèhuìxué) is the study of society as a whole, whereas psychology focuses on the individual. 行为科学 (xíngwéi kēxué), or behavioral science, is a broader umbrella that includes psychology but also encompasses aspects of biology and sociology.

心理学 vs. 精神病学: '心理学' is broader and includes normal behavior. '精神病学' (Psychiatry) is a branch of medicine focusing on mental disorders. Psychiatrists can prescribe medicine; most psychologists cannot.

教育心理学和教育学是两个不同的领域。(Educational psychology and pedagogy are two different fields.)

If you are looking for a more poetic or philosophical way to talk about the mind, you might use 心灵 (xīnlíng), which means 'soul' or 'spirit'. For example, '心灵的科学' (the science of the soul) is a more flowery way to describe psychology. In cognitive science, you will encounter 认知科学 (rènzhī kēxué), which overlaps heavily with cognitive psychology but includes artificial intelligence and neuroscience. Finally, 变态心理学 (biàntài xīnlǐxué) is the Chinese term for 'Abnormal Psychology'. While '变态' is often used as a slang insult (pervert), in this academic context, it is a neutral scientific term for 'abnormal' or 'deviant' states of mind.

他在研究中整合了心理学和神经科学的方法。(He integrated methods from psychology and neuroscience in his research.)

Summary of Alternatives: 1. 心理 (xīnlǐ) - Mentality/Psychology (non-academic). 2. 精神医学 (jīngshén yīxué) - Psychiatry. 3. 行为科学 (xíngwéi kēxué) - Behavioral Science. 4. 认知科学 (rènzhī kēxué) - Cognitive Science.

应用心理学在职场培训中非常受欢迎。(Applied psychology is very popular in workplace training.)

虽然他没学过心理学，但他非常懂人心。(Although he hasn't studied psychology, he understands the human heart very well.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Before '心理学' became the standard term, some early Chinese translators used '性学' (study of nature) or '灵学' (study of the soul) to translate 'Psychology'. However, '心理学' eventually won out because it sounded more scientific and less religious.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˌsaɪˈkɒlədʒi/

US /saɪˈkɑːlədʒi/

In Mandarin, the stress is relatively even across the three syllables, but the third tone on 'lǐ' often makes it sound slightly elongated.

Rhymes With

哲学 (zhéxué) 文学 (wénxué) 法学 (fǎxué) 医学 (yīxué) 社会学 (shèhuìxué) 经济学 (jīngjìxué) 生物学 (shēngwùxué) 数学 (shùxué)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'xīn' as 'shīn' (using 'sh' instead of 'x').
Using the wrong tone for 'lǐ' (e.g., fourth tone instead of third).
Mispronouncing 'xué' as 'shué' or 'xu' (dropping the 'e' sound).
Failing to distinguish 'xīn' (heart) from 'xìn' (letter/believe).
Mixing up the tones, making it sound like 'xīnlì' (mental effort).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are relatively common, but '理' and '学' are used in many other words, which can be confusing for beginners.

Writing 4/5

Writing '心理学' requires precision, especially the character '理', which has many strokes.

Speaking 3/5

The tones (1, 3, 2) are distinct and not too difficult to master with practice.

Listening 3/5

Easily recognizable in context due to the 'xué' suffix common to all academic subjects.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

心 (Heart/Mind) 理 (Logic/Principle) 学 (Study/Science) 人 (Person) 想 (To think)

Learn Next

心理学家 (Psychologist) 心理咨询 (Psychological counseling) 社会学 (Sociology) 行为 (Behavior) 情绪 (Emotion)

Advanced

本体论 (Ontology) 认知神经科学 (Cognitive neuroscience) 范式 (Paradigm) 精神病学 (Psychiatry) 潜意识 (Subconscious)

Grammar to Know

The '学' (xué) suffix for academic disciplines.

数学 (Math), 物理学 (Physics), 心理学 (Psychology).

Noun as modifier (Attributive Noun).

心理学老师 (Psychology teacher).

Using '对...感兴趣' for hobbies/interests.

我对心理学很感兴趣。

Using '从...的角度' for perspective.

从心理学的角度看问题。

The difference between '心理' (noun) and '心理学的' (adjective).

心理压力 vs 心理学研究.

Examples by Level

我喜欢心理学。

I like psychology.

Simple subject-verb-object structure.

这是心理学书吗？

Is this a psychology book?

Question using '吗' with a noun modifier.

他不学心理学。

He does not study psychology.

Negative sentence using '不'.

心理学很有趣。

Psychology is very interesting.

Adjective predicate with '很'.

心理学老师在哪儿？

Where is the psychology teacher?

Question using '在哪儿'.

我有一个心理学朋友。

I have a psychology friend (a friend who studies psychology).

Using '心理学' as a noun modifier.

他也想学心理学。

He also wants to study psychology.

Using '也' (also) and '想' (want).

心理学不难。

Psychology is not difficult.

Negative adjective predicate.

我打算在大学学习心理学。

I plan to study psychology in university.

Using '打算' (plan) and '在...学习' (study at...).

这本心理学书很出名。

This psychology book is very famous.

Using '出名' (famous) as an adjective.

心理学可以帮助我们。

Psychology can help us.

Using the modal verb '可以' (can).

你想当心理学老师吗？

Do you want to be a psychology teacher?

Using '当' (to become/be) for professions.

他读了很多心理学的书。

He has read many psychology books.

Using '了' for completed action.

心理学作业很难写。

The psychology homework is hard to write.

Compound noun '心理学作业'.

我们要开心理学课了。

We are going to have a psychology class.

Using '要...了' for future action.

她对心理学非常感兴趣。

She is very interested in psychology.

Structure '对...感兴趣'.

儿童心理学对家长很有用。

Child psychology is very useful for parents.

Using a specific branch '儿童心理学'.

他正在研究社会心理学。

He is currently researching social psychology.

Using '正在' for continuous action.

心理学研究表明，睡眠很重要。

Psychological research shows that sleep is very important.

Formal phrase '研究表明' (research shows).

掌握心理学知识能改善关系。

Mastering psychology knowledge can improve relationships.

Using '掌握' (to master) as a verb.

他在大学主修心理学专业。

He is majoring in psychology at the university.

Using '主修' (to major in).

心理学并不是读心术。

Psychology is not mind-reading.

Using '并不是' for emphatic negation.

这本书介绍了心理学的基本原理。

This book introduces the basic principles of psychology.

Using '介绍' (to introduce) and '原理' (principles).

我参加了一个心理学讲座。

I attended a psychology lecture.

Using '参加' (to participate/attend).

从心理学的角度来看，这个决定很明智。

From a psychological perspective, this decision is very wise.

Fixed phrase '从...的角度来看'.

进化心理学解释了人类的一些本能。

Evolutionary psychology explains some human instincts.

Using '解释' (to explain) and '本能' (instinct).

这种广告利用了消费心理学的原理。

This advertisement utilizes principles of consumer psychology.

Using '利用' (to utilize/exploit).

心理学实验需要严格的控制变量。

Psychology experiments require strict control of variables.

Academic terms '实验' and '控制变量'.

他在心理学领域有着深厚的造诣。

He has profound achievements in the field of psychology.

Using '领域' (field) and '造诣' (achievements).

心理学不仅是理论，更是实践。

Psychology is not only theory, but also practice.

Structure '不仅...更是...'.

积极心理学关注如何提升幸福感。

Positive psychology focuses on how to enhance the sense of happiness.

Specific term '积极心理学' and '幸福感'.

这篇论文探讨了认知心理学的最新进展。

This paper explores the latest developments in cognitive psychology.

Using '探讨' (to explore) and '进展' (progress).

心理学研究的伦理问题引起了广泛讨论。

The ethical issues of psychological research have sparked widespread discussion.

Complex subject with '伦理问题' (ethical issues).

他试图通过心理学分析来揭示角色的动机。

He tried to reveal the character's motivations through psychological analysis.

Using '揭示' (to reveal) and '动机' (motivation).

现代心理学深受行为主义和认知主义的影响。

Modern psychology is deeply influenced by behaviorism and cognitivism.

Using '深受...的影响' and academic '-ism' terms.

心理学在处理职场冲突中发挥着关键作用。

Psychology plays a key role in handling workplace conflicts.

Using '发挥...作用' (to play a role).

跨文化心理学研究不同文化背景下的心理差异。

Cross-cultural psychology studies psychological differences in different cultural contexts.

Specific branch '跨文化心理学'.

心理学的普及有助于消除对精神健康的偏见。

The popularization of psychology helps eliminate prejudice against mental health.

Using '普及' (popularization) and '消除' (eliminate).

这种心理学效应在社交媒体中表现得尤为明显。

This psychological effect is particularly evident in social media.

Using '表现得' (manifests as) and '尤为' (especially).

他撰写了一部关于心理学史的权威著作。

He wrote an authoritative work on the history of psychology.

Using '撰写' (to compose/write) and '权威' (authoritative).

心理学的本体论假设往往决定了其研究范式。

The ontological assumptions of psychology often determine its research paradigms.

High-level academic terms: '本体论' (ontology) and '范式' (paradigm).

在后现代语境下，心理学面临着重构的挑战。

In the postmodern context, psychology faces the challenge of reconstruction.

Using '后现代语境' (postmodern context) and '重构' (reconstruction).

心理学与神经科学的整合催生了认知神经科学这一前沿领域。

The integration of psychology and neuroscience gave birth to the frontier field of cognitive neuroscience.

Using '催生' (to give birth to/trigger) and '前沿' (frontier).

我们需要警惕心理学知识在某些领域的过度商业化应用。

We need to be wary of the over-commercialized application of psychological knowledge in certain fields.

Using '警惕' (to be wary of) and '过度商业化' (over-commercialization).

心理学不仅仅是描述性的，它还具有规范性的维度。

Psychology is not just descriptive; it also has a normative dimension.

Using '描述性' (descriptive) and '规范性' (normative).

该实验的设计巧妙地规避了传统心理学研究中的选择偏差。

The design of this experiment cleverly avoided selection bias in traditional psychological research.

Using '规避' (to avoid/circumvent) and '选择偏差' (selection bias).

心理学的话语体系在不断演变，以适应复杂多变的社会现实。

The discourse system of psychology is constantly evolving to adapt to the complex and ever-changing social reality.

Using '话语体系' (discourse system) and '演变' (evolve).

他从深度心理学的视角出发，剖析了当代人的精神困境。

Starting from the perspective of depth psychology, he analyzed the spiritual dilemma of contemporary people.

Using '深度心理学' (depth psychology) and '剖析' (to analyze deeply).

Common Collocations

心理学专业

心理学效应

心理学研究

心理学专家

心理学背景

心理学理论

心理学基础

心理学书籍

心理学实验室

心理学原理

Common Phrases

心理学角度

— Psychological perspective. Used to introduce an analysis based on the discipline.

从心理学角度分析，这是正常的。

心理学知识

— Psychological knowledge. General term for things learned in the field.

他掌握了很多心理学知识。

心理学领域

— The field of psychology. Used to refer to the entire academic/professional scope.

他在心理学领域很有名。

心理学实验

— Psychology experiment. Refers to a scientific test conducted in the field.

这个心理学实验很有趣。

心理学界

— The psychological community/circles. Refers to all people working in the field.

这在心理学界引起了轰动。

心理学期刊

— Psychology journal. Academic publications where research is shared.

他在心理学期刊上发表了文章。

心理学史

— History of psychology. The study of how the field developed over time.

我们要学习心理学史。

心理学大纲

— Psychology syllabus/outline. Used in educational settings.

这是本学期的心理学大纲。

心理学讲座

— Psychology lecture. A formal talk given on a psychological topic.

明天有一个心理学讲座。

心理学视角

— Psychological viewpoint. Similar to 'angle' or 'perspective'.

这是一个独特的心理学视角。

Often Confused With

心理学 vs 心理

Mentality vs. the study of mentality. '心理' is the state, '心理学' is the science.

心理学 vs 精神病学

Psychiatry (medical) vs. Psychology (general behavioral science).

心理学 vs 伦理学

Ethics. Both end in 'lǐxué', but 'xīn' (heart) vs 'lún' (human relations).

Idioms & Expressions

"心领神会"

— To understand without being told. While not containing '心理学', it relates to the intuitive understanding of the mind.

他们合作多年，早已心领神会。

Formal/Literary

"知人知面不知心"

— One may know a person's face but not their heart. Relates to the difficulty of psychological understanding.

俗话说，知人知面不知心。

Common Saying

"攻心为上"

— To win the heart is the best strategy. Often used in management or strategy contexts related to psychology.

在谈判中，攻心为上。

Formal/Strategic

"心不在焉"

— Absent-minded. A psychological state of lack of focus.

他上课总是心不在焉。

Common

"别出心裁"

— To adopt a unique approach. Relates to the creative side of the mind.

这个广告设计得别出心裁。

Formal/Literary

"平心静气"

— Calmly and dispassionately. A healthy psychological state.

我们应该平心静气地谈谈。

Common

"提心吊胆"

— To be very anxious/scared. Describes a state of psychological fear.

他整天提心吊胆地过日子。

Common

"扣人心弦"

— Tugging at the heartstrings. Describes something psychologically moving.

这部电影的情节扣人心弦。

Literary

"心悦诚服"

— To be completely convinced. A deep psychological acceptance.

大家对他的处理结果心悦诚服。

Formal

"心安理得"

— To feel at ease and justified. A state of psychological peace.

他觉得这笔钱拿得心安理得。

Common

Easily Confused

心理学 vs 心理

They share the same root.

'心理' is a noun meaning mentality or mindset. '心理学' is the academic discipline. You have '心理压力' but you study '心理学'.

他的心理素质很好。(His mental resilience is good.)

心理学 vs 精神

Both refer to the mind/spirit.

'精神' is broader, often referring to spirit, energy, or psychiatric health. '心理' is more about emotional and cognitive processes.

他精神很好。(He has good spirits/energy.)

心理学 vs 心学

Sounds like 'study of the heart'.

'心学' is a specific school of Neo-Confucian philosophy. '心理学' is modern scientific psychology.

王阳明创立了心学。(Wang Yangming founded the School of Mind.)

心理学 vs 社会学

Both are social sciences ending in 'xué'.

Sociology studies groups and society; Psychology studies the individual mind and behavior.

社会学研究社会结构。(Sociology studies social structures.)

心理学 vs 生理学

Rhyme and scientific nature.

Physiology studies the functions of living organisms and their parts; Psychology studies the mind.

生理学研究身体机能。(Physiology studies body functions.)

Sentence Patterns

我喜欢 [Subject]。

我喜欢心理学。

我想学 [Subject]。

我想学心理学。

我对 [Subject] 感兴趣。

我对心理学感兴趣。

[Subject] 很有用。

心理学很有用。

从 [Subject] 的角度来看...

从心理学的角度来看，这个行为很奇怪。

[Subject] 研究表明...

心理学研究表明，压力会影响健康。

[Subject] 在 [Field] 中发挥作用。

心理学在教育中发挥着重要作用。

[Subject] 的 [Concept] 值得探讨。

心理学的本体论假设值得探讨。

Word Family

Nouns

心理学家 (Psychologist)

心理咨询师 (Counselor)

心理素质 (Mental resilience)

心理障碍 (Mental disorder)

心理状态 (Mental state)

Verbs

心理咨询 (To counsel)

心理分析 (To analyze psychologically)

心理疏导 (To provide psychological guidance)

Adjectives

心理学的 (Psychological - academic)

心理上的 (Psychological - personal/state)

心理性的 (Psychogenic)

精神病学 (Psychiatry)

神经科学 (Neuroscience)

社会学 (Sociology)

教育学 (Pedagogy)

行为 (Behavior)

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in modern academic and lifestyle discussions.

Common Mistakes

我有心理学压力。 → 我有心理压力。
You have 'mental' pressure (心理), not 'science of the mind' pressure (心理学).
他是一个心理学。 → 他是一个心理学家。
You must add '家' (jiā) to refer to a specialist or professional.
我学习心理在大学。 → 我在大学学习心理学。
The location 'at university' comes before the verb, and the major is '心理学'.
心理学是很出名。 → 心理学很出名。
In simple adjective sentences, '是' is usually omitted and replaced by '很'.
这是一本心理学关于的书。 → 这是一本关于心理学的书。
The 'about [topic]' phrase must precede the noun it modifies.

Tips

Group by Suffix

Learn '心理学' alongside other '-学' words like '社会学' and '哲学' to build your academic vocabulary quickly.

The 'Major' Phrasing

When someone asks what you do, say '我是学心理学的' (I study psychology) instead of '我是心理学' (I am psychology).

Break it Down

Remember: 心 (Heart) + 理 (Logic) + 学 (Science). The science of the heart's logic.

Stigma Awareness

Be sensitive when discussing psychology with older Chinese people, as they might associate it more with 'mental illness' than 'self-growth'.

The Character '理'

Pay close attention to the right side of '理' (里). It means 'inside' or 'village', suggesting that psychology looks 'inside' the person.

Tone Accuracy

Ensure 'lǐ' is a clear third tone. If it's too flat, it might be confused with 'lǐ' meaning 'ceremony'.

Context Clues

If you hear 'xué' in a university setting, it's almost certainly a subject name. Use the first two syllables to narrow it down.

Bookstore Signs

Look for the '心理学' sign in Chinese bookstores. It's usually a very large and popular section.

Measure Words

Use '门' (mén) for a course of study: 我选了一门心理学课.

Perspective Phrases

Master '从心理学的角度来看' to instantly sound more academic and professional in your speech.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Heart' (心) that has its own 'Logic' (理) which you 'Study' (学). Heart + Logic + Study = Psychology.

Visual Association

Imagine a scientist looking at a heart-shaped brain through a magnifying glass. The magnifying glass represents the 'Logic' and the 'Study'.

Word Web

心 (Heart) 理 (Logic) 学 (Science) 脑 (Brain) 人 (Person) 行为 (Behavior) 思维 (Thought) 情感 (Emotion)

Challenge

Try to explain to a friend in Chinese why you think '心理学' is important. Use the phrase '我觉得心理学很重要，因为...' (I think psychology is important because...).

Word Origin

The term '心理学' is a modern loanword from Japanese (shinrigaku). In the late 19th century, Japanese scholars translated Western scientific terms using Kanji (Chinese characters). They combined '心理' (mental/heart-logic) with '学' (study/science).

Original meaning: The science of the logic of the heart/mind.

Sino-Tibetan (Mandarin Chinese), but specifically an 'East Asian cultural sphere' modern scientific term.

Cultural Context

When discussing mental health in China, be aware that while stigma is decreasing, it still exists, especially among older generations. Use '心理健康' (mental health) carefully.

In English-speaking countries, psychology is a very established field with a strong emphasis on individual therapy and clinical research. In China, there is a growing trend of integrating traditional Chinese philosophical concepts into psychological practice.

毕淑敏 (Bi Shumin) - A famous Chinese author and psychiatrist who wrote many popular books on psychology. 《女心理师》 (The Psychologist) - A popular TV drama that brought clinical psychology to mainstream audiences. 武志红 (Wu Zhihong) - A well-known psychologist in China famous for his books on family dynamics.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

University Major

主修心理学
心理学学士学位
心理学课程
心理学研究生

Mental Health

心理学咨询
心理学治疗
心理学干预
心理学评估

Business/Marketing

消费心理学
管理心理学
广告心理学
组织心理学

General Interest

大众心理学
心理学读物
心理学爱好者
心理学讲座

Legal/Forensic

犯罪心理学
法律心理学
心理学画像
法庭心理学

Conversation Starters

"你对心理学感兴趣吗？为什么？"

"你觉得学习心理学对日常生活有什么帮助？"

"你读过哪些有趣的心理学书籍？"

"你听说过哪些著名的心理学效应？"

"你认为心理学和读心术有什么区别？"

Journal Prompts

写一写你对心理学的看法。你认为它是一门真正的科学吗？

描述一次你运用心理学知识解决问题的经历。

如果你是一名心理学家，你最想研究哪方面的课题？

谈谈心理学在你所学专业或从事行业中的应用。

你认为现代社会中，普及心理学知识是否必要？请说明理由。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '心理学' is a broad academic field. While some psychologists work in hospitals (clinical psychology), others work in schools, businesses, or research labs. It is a popular major for anyone interested in human behavior.

You say '我是一名心理学家' (Wǒ shì yī míng xīnlǐxuéjiā). If you are a counselor, you say '我是一名心理咨询师' (Wǒ shì yī míng xīnlǐ zīxúnshī).

'心理学' is the science itself. '心理医生' is a colloquial term for a professional, usually a clinical psychologist or a psychiatrist, who treats mental health issues.

Scientifically, no. However, in pop culture, people sometimes use it that way. The formal term for mind-reading is '读心术' (dúxīnshù).

It is considered a challenging but popular major, requiring knowledge of both social sciences and statistics/biology. Many students choose it because of its wide application.

It translates to 'Positive Psychology'. It is a branch of psychology that focuses on human strengths and how to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life.

It is '心理学效应' (xīnlǐxué xiàoyìng). For example, the 'Halo Effect' is '光环效应'.

Not exactly. '心理' is more about the mind and emotions. '心灵' (xīnlíng) or '灵魂' (línghún) are closer to the English word 'soul'.

Yes, by placing it before another noun. For example, '心理学论文' (psychology paper). Sometimes you can add '的', as in '心理学的研究'.

Books by authors like Bi Shumin or Wu Zhihong are very popular. Also, translations of Western classics like those by Freud or Jung are widely read.