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A1 verb #3,000 most common 17 min read

放心

fangxin Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 放心 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 放心 in your Level:

At the A1 level, 放心 (fàngxīn) is primarily learned as a simple way to say 'Don't worry' or 'I'm okay.' Beginners should focus on the most basic usage: 放心吧 (Fàngxīn ba!). This is a common phrase used to comfort friends or family. At this stage, you don't need to worry about the complex 'separable verb' rules. Just remember that if someone is worried about you, you can say '放心' to tell them everything is fine. You might also learn it in the context of safety, like 我很放心 (I am at ease). The goal for A1 is to recognize the word in conversation and use it as a standalone reassurance. It's often paired with 没问题 (méi wèntí - no problem) to create a strong sense of confidence. For example: '放心吧，没问题！'

Think of it as a 'set phrase' rather than a verb you need to conjugate. In your first few months of learning Chinese, you'll hear your teacher say this when they give you an easy task, or your Chinese friends say it when they invite you out. It's a very friendly and positive word that helps build rapport. Focus on the pronunciation—the fourth tone on 'fàng' and the first tone on 'xīn'—to ensure you are understood clearly.

As an A2 learner, you begin to use 放心 in more complete sentences. You should start using the Subject + 对 + Somebody/Something + 放心 pattern. This is a crucial step in moving beyond 'Tarzan Chinese.' Instead of just saying 'I 放心,' you can now say 我对你放心 (Wǒ duì nǐ fàngxīn). You also learn the negative form 不放心 to express concern. For example, 我不放心孩子一个人在家 (I am not at ease with the child being home alone). At this level, you are beginning to understand that 放心 is about the relationship between two things—your mind and an external situation.

You will also encounter the particle 了 (le) more frequently with 放心. Understanding that 我放心了 means 'I have become relieved' is a key A2 milestone. You might use it after a test is over or after a friend calls to say they arrived safely. This level is about expanding the contexts in which you can express relief and learning the basic grammatical structures that support the word.

At the B1 level, you should master the 'separable' nature of 放心. This means using potential complements like 放不下心 (fàng bù xià xīn). This phrase is used constantly in native speech to express deep concern that one cannot simply 'let go' of. A B1 student can explain why they are worried using this structure: 因为考试太难了，我还是放不下心 (Because the exam is too hard, I still can't put my heart at ease). You also start to see 放心 used in more abstract ways, such as in business contexts or when discussing reliability.

You should also be able to distinguish 放心 from similar words like 安心 and 省心. A B1 learner knows that a '省心' child is one who makes their parents '放心.' You can use these words in the same paragraph to describe complex situations. Your sentences become longer and more descriptive, incorporating adverbs of degree like 格外 (géwài - especially) or 总算 (zǒngsuàn - finally). For example: 听到他平安的消息，我总算放心了.

B2 learners use 放心 with nuance and precision. You understand the cultural implications of the word—how it relates to trust and social responsibility. You might use it in a debate or a formal presentation to reassure your audience: 请各位放心，我们的方案是经过多重测试的 (Please rest assured, our plan has undergone multiple tests). At this level, you are comfortable with the word in professional settings and can use it to negotiate trust. You also recognize it in more complex grammatical structures, such as being part of a larger 'ràng' (cause) sentence: 这件事真让人不放心 (This matter really makes one uneasy).

Furthermore, you begin to appreciate the idiomatic uses of the word components. You might use 放心不下 as a set adjective phrase to describe a lingering worry. Your listening skills are sharp enough to catch the subtle difference in tone when someone says 放心 sarcastically or with deep sincerity. You are no longer just using the word; you are playing with its emotional weight to achieve specific communicative goals.

At the C1 level, your use of 放心 is indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You use it in literary analysis, high-level business negotiations, and deep philosophical discussions. You might explore the concept of 放心 in the context of Mencius' philosophy (where '求其放心' means to seek one's strayed heart/mind), showing a deep historical and cultural understanding of the characters. You can use the word to describe complex psychological states, such as the relief felt after a lifelong burden is lifted.

Your vocabulary includes formal synonyms like 欣慰 (xīnwèi) and 宽慰 (kuānwèi), and you know exactly when to use 放心 versus these more 'bookish' terms. You can write essays about the importance of '放心食品' (safe food) in modern society, discussing the sociological implications of trust. The word is now a versatile tool that you can apply to any topic, from the most personal to the most global.

C2 mastery involves an effortless command of 放心 in all its dimensions. You can appreciate and use the word in classical-style prose or modern poetry, where the literal 'letting go of the heart' might be used as a metaphor for spiritual enlightenment or death. You understand the deepest levels of sarcasm and irony involving the word. For instance, you could use it in a biting political commentary about a policy that claims to make people '放心' but does the opposite.

You are also aware of regional variations in how the word is used across the Chinese-speaking world. You can translate complex English concepts of 'security,' 'trust,' and 'peace' into the appropriate Chinese structure using 放心 or its variants without losing any of the original's nuance. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item; it is a part of your cognitive framework for understanding the world through a Chinese lens.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

放心 in 30 Seconds

放心 (fàngxīn) is a common Chinese verb used to express relief, trust, and the absence of worry in both personal and professional contexts.
It is a separable verb, literally meaning 'to release the heart,' and cannot take a direct object; use 'duì' for people.
You will hear it frequently in family settings ('Call me when you arrive') and business ('Rest assured, we will finish on time').
It differs from 'ānxīn' (peaceful focus) and 'shěngxīn' (trouble-free), focusing specifically on the removal of concern or doubt.

The Chinese term 放心 (fàngxīn) is one of the most essential and frequently used words in the Mandarin language, particularly because it touches upon the core of human emotion: the state of being at ease. At its most basic level, it is translated as 'to feel relieved,' 'to rest assured,' or 'to be at ease.' However, the linguistic beauty of this word lies in its literal construction. It is a compound verb consisting of two characters: 放 (fàng), meaning 'to release,' 'to let go,' or 'to put down,' and 心 (xīn), meaning 'heart' or 'mind.' When you combine them, you are literally 'releasing your heart' or 'putting your heart down.' This imagery perfectly captures the physical sensation of anxiety—where the heart feels as though it is suspended, tight, or heavy—and the subsequent relief when that tension is finally let go. In Chinese culture, the heart is considered the seat of both emotion and intellect, so 'releasing the heart' implies a total mental and emotional relaxation. You will hear this word in almost every social interaction where reassurance is needed. Whether a mother is telling her child to be careful on the way to school, or a manager is telling a client that a project is in good hands, 放心 serves as the linguistic balm that soothes concern. It is important to note that while it is an A1 level word, its usage evolves as you progress in fluency, moving from simple commands like 'Don't worry' to complex psychological descriptions of trust and reliability.

Literal Meaning: To release or put down the heart/mind.
Emotional Core: The transition from a state of anxiety or worry to a state of security and peace.

你放心吧，我会照顾好他的。(Nǐ fàngxīn ba, wǒ huì zhàogù hǎo tā de.)
Rest assured, I will take good care of him.

In daily life, 放心 is used in two primary ways. First, it is used as an intransitive verb to describe one's own state of mind. For example, 'I finally feel relieved' is 我终于放心了 (Wǒ zhōngyú fàngxīn le). Second, it is used as an imperative to comfort others, often followed by the particle 吧 (ba) to soften the tone. When someone says 请放心 (Qǐng fàngxīn), they are professionally guaranteeing that things will go well. The word carries a heavy weight of responsibility; to tell someone to '放心' is to take their worry upon yourself. This cultural nuance is vital. In Chinese society, where interpersonal relationships (guānxì) are paramount, being a '放心' person—someone who others can trust implicitly—is a high compliment. It suggests reliability, competence, and integrity. Conversely, if someone says they are 不放心 (bù fàngxīn) about you, it indicates a lack of trust or a concern that you might not be capable of handling a task. This word is not just about a temporary feeling; it is about the foundational safety of a relationship.

听了你的话，我才真正放心。(Tīng le nǐ de huà, wǒ cái zhēnzhèng fàngxīn.)
Only after hearing what you said did I truly feel at ease.

Furthermore, the word frequently appears in compound structures and idiomatic expressions. Because it is a 'separable verb' (离合词 - líhécí), it can be split apart to include modifiers. For instance, 放不下心 (fàng bù xià xīn) means 'unable to feel at ease' or 'unable to stop worrying.' This flexibility allows speakers to express degrees of relief. You might say 放了一半的心 (fàng le yībàn de xīn), meaning you are only 'half-relieved,' perhaps because one problem is solved but another remains. This granular control over the expression of emotion makes 放心 an incredibly versatile tool in the Mandarin speaker's toolkit. Whether you are navigating a business negotiation, comforting a grieving friend, or simply checking in with family, understanding the depth and mechanics of 放心 will significantly enhance your communicative competence and cultural empathy.

Social Function: Acts as a verbal contract of trust and reliability between speakers.

这件事情交给他办，我很放心。(Zhè jiàn shìqíng jiāo gěi tā bàn, wǒ hěn fàngxīn.)
I feel very much at ease leaving this matter to him to handle.

Using 放心 (fàngxīn) correctly in a sentence requires an understanding of its grammatical classification as a 'separable verb' (离合词 - líhécí). Unlike standard English verbs that take a direct object, 放心 cannot directly precede a person or a thing. For example, you cannot say 'I 放心 you' in the same way you say 'I trust you.' Instead, you must use a prepositional structure, typically involving 对 (duì). The standard pattern is: Subject + 对 + Somebody/Something + 放心. This translates to 'Subject is at ease regarding Somebody/Something.' For example, 妈妈对我非常放心 (Māma duì wǒ fēicháng fàngxīn) means 'Mom is very much at ease regarding me' or 'Mom trusts me completely.' This is the most common mistake for English speakers, who often try to use it as a transitive verb. Mastering this '对...放心' structure is the first step toward natural-sounding Chinese.

老板对他的工作很放心。(Lǎobǎn duì tā de gōngzuò hěn fàngxīn.)
The boss is very much at ease with his work.

Another critical aspect of 放心 is its use with the particle 了 (le). Because the word often describes a change in emotional state—moving from worry to relief—it is frequently paired with 了 to indicate that the relief has now occurred. 我放心了 (Wǒ fàngxīn le) means 'I am now relieved' or 'I have put my heart at rest.' Without the 了, the sentence feels incomplete in many contexts. Conversely, to express ongoing worry, you use the negative form 不放心 (bù fàngxīn). Interestingly, 不放心 is often used to justify an action. For example, 我不放心他一个人去，所以我陪他 (Wǒ bù fàngxīn tā yīgè rén qù, suǒyǐ wǒ péi tā)—'I wasn't at ease with him going alone, so I accompanied him.' Here, the lack of relief serves as the motivation for the subsequent behavior.

Structure: Imperative: 放心吧！ (Fàngxīn ba!) - Don't worry! / Rest assured!
Structure: Degree: 非常放心 (fēicháng fàngxīn) - Extremely at ease.

Because 放心 is separable, it can be manipulated to express nuance. The most common separation occurs with the potential complement 下 (xià). You will often hear 放不下心 (fàng bù xià xīn), which literally means 'cannot put the heart down.' This is a powerful way to say 'I can't help but worry' or 'It's weighing on my mind.' You cannot simply say 我不可以放心; the separable structure is the grammatically correct and culturally authentic way to express this inability to let go of concern. Similarly, 放下心来 (fàng xià xīn lái) is used to describe the process of calming down or beginning to feel relieved after a period of stress. This dynamic use of the verb components allows for a rich description of the ebb and flow of human anxiety.

孩子还没回来，妈妈怎么也放不下心。(Háizi hái méi huílái, māma zěnme yě fàng bù xià xīn.)
The child hasn't returned yet; the mother simply cannot put her heart at ease.

Finally, let's look at the resultative use. In Chinese, verbs are often paired with a result. With 放心, the result is often implied by the context of the conversation. When someone tells you 你放心 (Nǐ fàngxīn), they are essentially saying 'You can trust the result of this situation.' It is also frequently used in the form of a question to check on someone's emotional state: 你现在放心了吗？ (Nǐ xiànzài fàngxīn le ma?)—'Are you relieved now?' This is a common way to show empathy and care. In professional writing, such as emails, 请放心 (Qǐng fàngxīn) is a standard polite phrase to reassure a client that their request is being handled. It bridges the gap between a simple 'don't worry' and a formal 'we guarantee satisfaction.' By understanding these various sentence patterns, you can use 放心 to navigate both intimate personal conversations and formal professional environments with confidence.

Negative Form: 不放心 (bù fàngxīn) - To be uneasy/worried.

请你放心，我们一定会准时完成任务。(Qǐng nǐ fàngxīn, wǒmen yīdìng huì zhǔnshí wánchéng rènwù.)
Please rest assured, we will definitely complete the task on time.

In the real world, 放心 (fàngxīn) is omnipresent, echoing through the halls of family homes, the offices of high-stakes businesses, and the casual chatter of street markets. One of the most poignant places you will hear this word is within the Chinese family dynamic. Chinese parents are known for their deep concern (and sometimes over-protectiveness) for their children. Consequently, a child leaving for university or a long trip will inevitably hear 到了给我打个电话，让我放心 (Dào le gěi wǒ dǎ gè diànhuà, ràng wǒ fàngxīn)—'Call me when you arrive, so I can be at ease.' Here, '放心' is not just a feeling; it is a goal that the child must help the parent achieve. It represents the emotional bond where the peace of one person is dependent on the safety of another. In this context, '放心' is a word of deep affection and connection.

只要你平安，我就放心了。(Zhǐyào nǐ píng'ān, wǒ jiù fàngxīn le.)
As long as you are safe, I will be at ease.

In the workplace, 放心 takes on a more professional, yet equally vital, role. It is the currency of competence. When a subordinate says to a boss, 经理，您放心，这事我来办 (Jīnglǐ, nín fàngxīn, zhè shì wǒ lái bàn)—'Manager, please rest assured, I will handle this'—they are making a promise of quality. In Chinese business culture, being a '让人放心的员工' (an employee who makes people feel at ease) is often valued more than having raw talent alone. It implies that you are meticulous, reliable, and won't require constant supervision. If a boss says 我对你办事很放心 (Wǒ duì nǐ bànshì hěn fàngxīn), it is one of the highest forms of praise, suggesting you have earned their full trust. You'll also see this in advertising; brands often use slogans like 放心品牌 (fàngxīn pǐnpái)—'A brand you can trust'—to emphasize safety and reliability, especially in food and health sectors.

Context: Healthcare: Doctors often say '放心' to patients after a successful surgery to lower their stress levels.
Context: Travel: Travel agents use it to reassure clients about safety protocols and itinerary details.

Moving to the social sphere, 放心 is a staple of friendship. When a friend is going through a breakup or a difficult time, you might say 有我在，你放心 (Yǒu wǒ zài, nǐ fàngxīn)—'I'm here, you can rest easy.' It functions similarly to 'I've got your back' in English. It is also used in a slightly more lighthearted way when making plans. If you are organizing a dinner and a friend asks if there will be vegetarian options, you can say 放心，我全都安排好了 (Fàngxīn, wǒ quándōu ānpái hǎo le)—'Don't worry, I've arranged everything.' In these everyday interactions, the word acts as a social lubricant, smoothing over potential anxieties and reinforcing the reliability of the speaker. It is a word that builds bridges between people, creating a shared space of security.

这家店的东西很干净，你可以放心吃。(Zhè jiā diàn de dōngxī hěn gānjìng, nǐ kěyǐ fàngxīn chī.)
The food in this shop is very clean; you can eat without worry.

Finally, you will encounter 放心 in literature and media. In TV dramas, a dying character might say to their loved one, 你这样，让我怎么放心走啊？ (Nǐ zhèyàng, ràng wǒ zěnme fàngxīn zǒu a?)—'With you like this, how can I leave in peace?' This highlights the word's connection to the ultimate 'letting go'—death. It suggests that one cannot pass away peacefully if they are still 'carrying' worries about those they leave behind. From the most mundane daily chores to the most profound moments of life and death, 放心 is the thread that weaves through the Chinese experience of security and trust. Whether it's a simple 'Don't worry' or a deep 'I trust you with my life,' this word is a window into the Chinese soul's need for emotional stability and relational harmony.

Common Media Usage: Used in news reports about government safety inspections ('放心肉', '放心水').

The most frequent mistake learners make with 放心 (fàngxīn) is treating it as a standard transitive verb. Because we say 'I trust you' or 'I believe you' in English, many students naturally want to say *我放心你 (Wǒ fàngxīn nǐ). This is grammatically incorrect in Mandarin. As mentioned previously, 放心 is a separable verb (verb-object compound), and it requires the preposition 对 (duì) to link the feeling of relief to a specific person or object. The correct way to say 'I trust you' or 'I am at ease with you' is 我对你很放心 (Wǒ duì nǐ hěn fàngxīn). This is a fundamental hurdle for A1 and A2 learners. If you find yourself putting a noun or pronoun directly after 放心, stop and restructure the sentence using 对.

❌ Incorrect: 我不放心他独自旅行。
✅ Correct: 我对他独自旅行不放心。

Another common error involves the confusion between 放心 and 安心 (ānxīn). While both involve a 'heart' that is at peace, they are used in different contexts. 放心 is specifically the relief from a particular worry or the trust in a certain outcome. 安心, on the other hand, describes a state of focused, calm concentration or a general sense of being settled. For example, if you want someone to concentrate on their studies without being distracted, you say 安心学习 (ānxīn xuéxí), not *放心学习. Using 放心 there would imply that the person was previously worried about the study itself, which isn't the intended meaning. 安心 is about the quality of the state, while 放心 is about the removal of a burden.

Mistake: Direct Object: Saying '放心 + Person' instead of '对 + Person + 放心'.
Mistake: Word Choice: Confusing '放心' (relief from worry) with '安心' (peaceful focus).

Learners also struggle with the placement of the particle 了 (le). Because 放心 is a separable verb, 了 can sometimes be placed between the two characters, though this is less common for beginners. However, the mistake usually lies in omitting 了 when a change of state is clearly indicated. If you just received good news and want to say 'Now I'm relieved,' you must say 我放心了. Saying just 我放心 sounds like a general statement of your character (e.g., 'I am an at-ease person'), which is rarely what you mean. Furthermore, be careful with the potential complement form 放不下心. Some students try to say *不能放心. While technically understandable, it sounds very stiff and unnatural. Native speakers almost exclusively use 放不下心 to express the inability to stop worrying.

❌ Incorrect: 你可以放心我。
✅ Correct: 你可以对我放心。

Lastly, there's the 'degree' mistake. Because 放心 is a verb, some learners are hesitant to use degree adverbs like 很 (hěn) or 非常 (fēicháng) with it. However, in Chinese, many psychological verbs function like adjectives. It is perfectly correct—and actually very common—to say 我很放心 (Wǒ hěn fàngxīn). Don't feel like you have to use a complex verb structure to express how relieved you are. A simple adverbial modifier is the most natural way to do it. By avoiding these common pitfalls—the direct object error, the word choice confusion, the missing 'le,' and the hesitation with adverbs—you will sound much more like a native speaker and communicate your feelings of trust and relief with much greater clarity.

Mistake: Negation: Using '不放心' when you mean 'not trusting someone's character' vs. 'being worried about a specific event'.

Mandarin has several words that revolve around the concept of 'peace of mind,' and understanding the nuances between them will elevate your Chinese from functional to sophisticated. The most prominent 'cousin' of 放心 (fàngxīn) is 安心 (ānxīn). As discussed in the 'Common Mistakes' section, 安心 is about a stable, focused, and settled state. While 放心 is the result of a worry being removed, 安心 is often the quality of an action. For example, 安心工作 (ānxīn gōngzuò) means to work with a settled mind, free from distractions. Another similar word is 省心 (shěngxīn). This literally means 'to save heart/effort.' It is used to describe someone or something that doesn't cause you any trouble. A '省心' child is one who behaves well and doesn't require constant discipline. While 放心 is about trust, 省心 is about the lack of burden.

放心 (fàngxīn): Relief from a specific worry; trust in an outcome. (e.g., 'I am relieved you are safe.')
安心 (ānxīn): A state of mental focus or being settled. (e.g., 'Focus on your studies.')
省心 (shěngxīn): Something that requires little effort or worry. (e.g., 'This new car is very trouble-free.')

Then there is 舒心 (shūxīn), which translates more closely to 'comfortable' or 'happy.' It describes a pleasant, stress-free emotional state, often related to one's environment or lifestyle. If your life is going smoothly and you feel content, you might say 日子过得很舒心 (Rìzi guò de hěn shūxīn). This is different from 放心 because it doesn't necessarily imply a prior worry; it's just a general state of well-being. Additionally, we have 宽心 (kuānxīn). This word, meaning 'to broaden the heart,' is often used when someone is trying to comfort another person who is upset, encouraging them to be more open-minded or to let go of a grudge. It's more about 'cheering up' or 'not taking things so hard' than the simple relief of 放心.

别生气了，宽心一点吧。(Bié shēngqì le, kuānxīn yīdiǎn ba.)
Stop being angry; try to be a bit more open-minded/cheerful.

In more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter 慰藉 (wèijiè) or 欣慰 (xīnwèi). 欣慰 is a higher-level word for 'to be gratified' or 'to feel relieved and happy.' It is often used by elders when they see the success of a younger generation. For example, 看到你这么努力，我感到很欣慰 (Kàndào nǐ zhème nǔlì, wǒ gǎndào hěn xīnwèi). It carries a sense of pride that 放心 lacks. On the opposite side, if you want to express trust without using the 'heart' metaphors, you can use 信任 (xìnrèn). 信任 is a standard noun/verb for 'trust.' While 放心 is the feeling of trust, 信任 is the concept of trust. You might say 我信任你 (Wǒ xìnrèn nǐ), which is a direct statement of your belief in their character, whereas 我对你放心 is more about the peace of mind they give you.

虽然我很信任他，但我还是有点不放心。(Suīrán wǒ hěn xìnrèn tā, dàn wǒ háishì yǒudiǎn bù fàngxīn.)
Although I trust him very much, I'm still a little uneasy.

By learning these alternatives, you can tailor your speech to the exact emotion you wish to convey. Use 放心 for relief and trust, 安心 for focus, 省心 for ease of management, 舒心 for general contentment, and 欣慰 for proud relief. This richness of vocabulary allows you to navigate the complex landscape of human emotions in Chinese with precision and grace, making your interactions more meaningful and your expression more authentic.

Formal Alternative: 欣慰 (xīnwèi) - To be gratified and relieved.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In the works of Mencius, '放心' actually meant a 'strayed heart'—one that had lost its moral focus. In modern Chinese, the meaning has flipped to mean a heart that is at rest and free from worry.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /fâŋ ɕín/

US /fɑŋ ʃin/

Primary stress on 'fàng', secondary on 'xīn'.

Rhymes With

上心 (shàngxīn) 关心 (guānxīn) 核心 (héxīn) 真心 (zhēnxīn) 信心 (xìnxīn) 恶心 (ěxīn) 耐心 (nàixīn) 小心 (xiǎoxīn)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'xīn' as a falling tone.
Failing to drop the pitch enough on 'fàng'.
Confusing 'xīn' with 'xìng' (nasal ending).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Characters are common and easy to recognize for beginners.

Writing 2/5

Characters are slightly complex (especially 'fàng'), but common enough to master quickly.

Speaking 2/5

Tones are manageable, but the 'duì...fàngxīn' structure takes practice.

Listening 1/5

Very high frequency word, easy to pick out in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

心放担心对很

Learn Next

安心省心相信信任满意

Advanced

欣慰忐忑焦虑释怀宽慰

Grammar to Know

Separable Verbs (离合词)

放不下心 (fàng bu xià xīn)

Preposition '对' for objects of emotion

对我放心 (duì wǒ fàngxīn)

Resultative Complements

放下心来 (fàng xià xīn lái)

Degree adverbs with psychological verbs

非常放心 (fēicháng fàngxīn)

Change of state particle '了'

我放心了 (Wǒ fàngxīn le)

Examples by Level

放心吧！

Don't worry!

A standalone imperative phrase.

我很放心。

I am at ease.

Subject + Adverb + Verb.

你放心了吗？

Are you relieved now?

Question with 'le' and 'ma'.

我不放心。

I am not at ease.

Negative form using 'bù'.

请放心。

Please rest assured.

Polite imperative with 'qǐng'.

妈妈放心了。

Mom is relieved.

Indicates a change of state with 'le'.

这事儿我很放心。

I'm very at ease about this matter.

Topic-comment structure.

你放心，没问题。

Don't worry, no problem.

Common conversational pairing.

我对你很放心。

I trust you / I'm at ease with you.

The essential 'duì...fàngxīn' structure.

他不放心我一个人去。

He is not at ease with me going alone.

Negative structure with a clause as the object of concern.

听了你的话，我放心多了。

After hearing your words, I am much more relieved.

Using 'duō le' to show degree of change.

这件衣服质量很好，你可以放心买。

This clothing's quality is good; you can buy it without worry.

Using 'fàngxīn' as an adverbial before another verb.

老师对我的考试成绩很放心。

The teacher is at ease about my exam results.

Subject + duì + Noun + fàngxīn.

你到了家就给我打电话，让我放心。

Call me when you get home so I can be at ease.

Using 'ràng' (to let/make) with 'fàngxīn'.

我们对这个品牌非常放心。

We are very much at ease with this brand.

Expressing trust in a brand.

别担心，一切都会让你放心的。

Don't worry, everything will make you feel at ease.

Future orientation with 'huì'.

这孩子总是让人放不下心。

This child always makes people unable to feel at ease.

Separable verb with potential complement 'bu xià'.

你把工作交给他，真的放心吗？

Are you really at ease leaving the work to him?

Questioning someone's trust.

看到他平安回来，我悬着的心终于放下来了。

Seeing him return safely, my hanging heart finally came down.

Idiomatic use of 'fàng xià lái' with 'xīn'.

医生说手术很成功，请家属放心。

The doctor says the surgery was successful; family members, please rest assured.

Formal reassurance in a medical context.

虽然他已经成年了，但父母还是对他不放心。

Although he is an adult, his parents are still uneasy about him.

Contrastive sentence with 'suīrán...dàn'.

这家饭馆用的是放心油，味道也不错。

This restaurant uses 'safe oil' (trustworthy oil), and the taste is good too.

Using 'fàngxīn' as an attributive adjective for food safety.

为了让父母放心，他每天都打个电话回家。

In order to let his parents be at ease, he calls home every day.

Purpose clause with 'wèile'.

我对他的能力还是比较放心的。

I am relatively at ease with his ability.

Using 'bǐjiào' to moderate the degree of relief.

要把这项任务完成好，非他不可，别人我不放心。

To complete this task well, it must be him; I'm not at ease with anyone else.

Strong conditional 'fēi...bùkě'.

他办事向来稳妥，大家都对他很放心。

He has always handled matters steadily, so everyone is at ease with him.

Using 'xiànglái' (always) to describe a consistent state.

这批货物的质量检测报告出来了，我们可以放心发货了。

The quality inspection report for this batch of goods is out; we can ship with peace of mind.

Business context with 'fàngxīn' modifying a verb.

如果没有你的保证，我无论如何也放不下心来。

Without your guarantee, I simply couldn't put my heart at ease no matter what.

Conditional 'rúguǒ...wúlùn rúhé...yě'.

政府正在努力打造“放心消费”的环境。

The government is working hard to create a 'safe consumption' environment.

Sociopolitical context involving consumer trust.

尽管医生一再安慰，他还是对妻子的病情不放心。

Despite the doctor's repeated reassurances, he remained uneasy about his wife's condition.

Using 'jǐnguǎn' (despite) and 'yīzài' (repeatedly).

只有亲眼看到结果，我才能真正放心。

Only by seeing the result with my own eyes can I truly be at ease.

Restrictive condition 'zhǐyǒu...cái'.

他在外闯荡多年，早已让家里人放宽了心。

Having ventured out for many years, he has long since made his family feel more at ease.

Using the 'fàng kuān xīn' variation.

这种产品通过了国际认证，消费者完全可以放心使用。

This product has passed international certification; consumers can use it with complete peace of mind.

Formal, technical reassurance.

他那严谨的治学态度，让导师对他十分放心。

His rigorous attitude toward scholarship makes his supervisor very much at ease with him.

Using 'zhìxué tàidù' (academic attitude).

在没有得到确切消息之前，谁也无法真正放下心来。

Before receiving definite news, no one can truly put their heart at rest.

Complex time clause 'zài...zhīqián'.

这种“放心”并非盲目，而是建立在深厚信任的基础之上的。

This 'peace of mind' is not blind but built on the foundation of deep trust.

Philosophical/abstract discussion of trust.

他为人厚道，办事周全，是一个让人放心的人。

He is kind-hearted and thorough in his work; he is a person who makes others feel at ease.

Character description using 'ràng rén fàngxīn'.

母亲那充满忧虑的眼神，让我始终放不下心去追求自己的梦想。

My mother's worry-filled eyes made it so I could never fully be at ease to pursue my own dreams.

Literary/emotional complexity.

我们要完善食品安全监管体系，让老百姓吃得放心。

We must improve the food safety supervision system so the common people can eat with peace of mind.

Political discourse/policy language.

他的一番解释虽然合情合理，但依然未能让我彻底放心。

Although his explanation was reasonable, it still failed to make me completely at ease.

Using 'hèqíng hélǐ' (reasonable) and 'chèdǐ' (thoroughly).

儒家学说中的“求其放心”，旨在找回那颗迷失的本心。

The 'seeking of the strayed heart' in Confucianism aims to recover one's lost original mind.

Classical philosophical reference (Mencius).

在这场博弈中，任何一丝的不放心都可能导致最终的溃败。

In this game/gambit, any trace of unease could lead to eventual total defeat.

Strategic/metaphorical usage.

他这种近乎偏执的细致，正是为了求得那一份极致的放心。

His almost paranoid meticulousness is precisely for the sake of achieving that ultimate peace of mind.

Psychological depth and 'qiúdé' (to seek and obtain).

当他终于交代完后事，才算真正地放了心，撒手人寰。

Only when he finally finished settling his affairs did he truly feel at ease and pass away.

Euphemistic and profound context (death).

这种所谓的“放心”，不过是掩盖真相的一种政治手段罢了。

This so-called 'peace of mind' is nothing more than a political tactic to conceal the truth.

Cynical/critical register with 'bùguò...bàle'.

在动荡不安的年代，寻求一份内心的放心竟成了奢望。

In turbulent times, seeking a sense of inner peace actually became an extravagant hope.

Historical/sociological reflection.

他笔下的文字，总能给读者带来一种莫名的放心与安宁。

The writing under his pen always brings readers an indescribable sense of ease and tranquility.

Aesthetic/literary criticism.

唯有放下执念，方能获得真正的放心。

Only by letting go of obsessions can one obtain true peace of mind.

Spiritual/Buddhist-influenced phrasing.

Common Collocations

完全放心

放不下心

让人放心

放心不下

尽管放心

放心品牌

放心肉

大可放心

难以放心

格外放心

Common Phrases

放心吧

— Don't worry; rest assured.

放心吧，我会准时到的。

我对你放心

— I trust you; I am at ease with you.

你办事，我对你放心。

放不下心

— Unable to stop worrying.

孩子没回来，我放不下心。

让人放心

— Reliable; trustworthy.

他办事总是让人放心。

请放心

— Please rest assured (formal).

请放心，我们会妥善处理。

总算放心了

— Finally relieved.

听到他没事，我总算放心了。

不放心

— Uneasy; worried.

我不放心他一个人开车。

放心不下

— To be concerned about (lingering).

他总是对家里的老人放心不下。

放下心来

— To become relieved.

她终于放下心来，睡着了。

尽管放心

— Feel free to be at ease; no need to worry.

关于质量，您尽管放心。

Often Confused With

放心 vs 安心

安心 is for focus/concentration; 放心 is for relief/trust.

放心 vs 省心

省心 means something is no trouble; 放心 means you trust the outcome.

放心 vs 信任

信任 is the noun/verb for 'trust'; 放心 is the feeling of being at ease.

Idioms & Expressions

"提心吊胆"

— To be extremely worried (opposite of 放心).

他整天提心吊胆地过日子。

Neutral

"高枕无忧"

— To sleep on a high pillow without worries.

有了这笔钱，他可以高枕无忧了。

Idiomatic

"心安理得"

— To have a clear conscience and feel at ease.

他觉得自己心安理得。

Neutral

"放浪形骸"

— Unrestrained; letting go of conventions (different 'fàng').

他在山林中放浪形骸。

Literary

"心不在焉"

— Absent-minded (different state of 'xīn').

他上课总是心不在焉。

Neutral

"全神贯注"

— Concentrated (related to 'ānxīn').

他全神贯注地看书。

Neutral

"忐忑不安"

— Mentally unsettled; fidgety.

考试前，他心里忐忑不安。

Neutral

"无忧无虑"

— Carefree; without a single worry.

童年生活是无忧无虑的。

Neutral

"如释重负"

— As if relieved of a heavy burden.

考完试，他感到如释重负。

Literary

"安然无恙"

— Safe and sound (reason to be 放心).

他从事故中安然无恙地回来了。

Neutral

Easily Confused

放心 vs 安心

Both involve 'heart' and 'peace'.

安心 is about a steady state of mind (e.g., studying), while 放心 is about the removal of a specific worry.

你安心读书，家里的事不用你操心。

放心 vs 省心

Both relate to not worrying.

省心 means the object requires very little effort or attention because it is easy/good. 放心 is about your internal emotional state of trust.

这个扫地机器人真省心。

放心 vs 小心

Both end in '心'.

小心 means 'to be careful' (small heart). It is the opposite of being relaxed.

过马路要小心。

放心 vs 开心

Both end in '心'.

开心 means 'happy' or 'joyful' (open heart). 放心 is specifically about relief from worry.

今天我玩得很开心。

放心 vs 耐性/耐心

Both involve the 'heart' in a psychological state.

耐心 is 'patience.' It is about waiting, not necessarily about relief.

教孩子需要耐心。

Sentence Patterns

放心吧！

放心吧，我会去的。

Subject + 对 + Somebody + 放心

妈妈对我很放心。

Verb + 让人 + 放心

他办事真让人放心。

Subject + 放不下心

我还是对他放不下心。

只要...就放心了

只要你没事，我就放心了。

完全/十分/格外 + 放心

大家对这个计划十分放心。

放下心来

她终于长舒一口气，放下心来。

求其放心

学问之道无他，求其放心而已。

Word Family

Nouns

心 (heart/mind)

放心肉 (safe meat)

放心水 (safe water)

Verbs

放 (to release)

放下 (to put down)

放假 (to have a holiday)

放任 (to indulge)

Adjectives

放心的 (reassuring)

不放心的 (worrying)

安心

担心

操心

省心

挂心

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation and media.

Common Mistakes

我放心你。 → 我对你放心。
放心 is an intransitive separable verb and cannot take a direct object. You must use the 'duì' structure.
我不可以放心。 → 我放不下心。
While '不可以' is grammatically possible, '放不下心' is the idiomatic way to say you are unable to stop worrying.
请放心学习。 → 请安心学习。
If you want someone to concentrate, use '安心.' '放心' implies they were worried about the study itself.
我放心。 → 我放心了。
When expressing that you have just become relieved, you must use '了' to indicate a change of state.
他是放心的人。 → 他是一个让人放心的人。
To describe a reliable person, you usually need the causative '让人' (makes people) before '放心'.

Tips

The 'Duì' Rule

Always remember: Subject + 对 + Object + 放心. This is the gold standard for using the word correctly with a person or thing.

Social Contract

When you tell someone '放心,' you are essentially giving them your word. It is a powerful tool for building trust in Chinese society.

Use 'Ba'

Adding '吧' (fàngxīn ba) makes you sound much more like a native speaker. It turns a command into a gentle reassurance.

Opposites

Learn '担心' (worry) and '放心' (relief) together as a pair. They are the two sides of the emotional coin in Mandarin.

Separable Verbs

Practice writing '放不下心.' Mastering this potential complement form will make your writing look much more advanced.

Context Clues

In a restaurant, if you hear '放心,' it's probably about the food quality. In a family, it's probably about safety.

Heart Imagery

Visualize the 'heart' (心) being 'released' (放). This literal translation is the best way to remember the meaning.

Degree Adverbs

Don't be afraid to use '很' or '非常' with 放心. It's perfectly natural to say '我很放心'.

Email Etiquette

Use '请放心' to acknowledge a client's concern. It shows that you are professional and reliable.

Set Phrases

Memorize '让你放心' (to let you be at ease). It’s a very common structure used to show care for others.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Visualize yourself holding a heavy, beating heart with both hands (worry). Now, imagine opening your hands and letting the heart rest on a soft pillow. That is 'fàng' (release) + 'xīn' (heart).

Visual Association

Imagine a balloon shaped like a heart. When you are worried, you hold the string tight. When you are '放心', you let the balloon float peacefully in the sky.

Word Web

Trust Relief Safety Heart Release Comfort Reliability Peace

Challenge

Try to use '放心' three times today: once to comfort a friend, once to describe how you feel about a finished task, and once using the 'duì...fàngxīn' structure.

Word Origin

Composed of '放' (to release/let go) and '心' (heart/mind). The concept dates back to classical Chinese philosophy where the 'heart' was seen as something that could be 'lost' or 'held' tightly with worry.

Original meaning: To let go of the heart; to release one's mental grip on a concern.

Sino-Tibetan > Sinitic > Mandarin.

Cultural Context

Be careful not to use it in a way that sounds dismissive (e.g., '放心吧' to someone with a very serious problem might seem like you aren't taking them seriously).

English speakers often use 'trust' or 'don't worry,' but '放心' covers both and adds a layer of physical relief ('releasing the heart') that English lacks.

Mencius' '求其放心' (Seeking the strayed heart). Common slogans in Chinese food markets: '放心肉工程'. Pop songs like '让你放心'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Travel

到了给我打电话，让我放心。
路上的安全一定要注意，这样我才放心。
行李都带好了，我就放心了。
这趟旅行很安全，你放心吧。

Work

请领导放心，我一定完成任务。
这个项目交给他，我最放心。
我对他的专业水平很放心。
报告已经检查三遍了，你可以放心。

Food Safety

这是放心肉，可以放心吃。
我们只卖放心食品。
这家店的卫生让人很放心。
为了让顾客放心，我们公开了厨房。

Family

你长大了，妈妈就放心了。
别让家里人为你操心，要让他们放心。
看到你结婚，爷爷也就放心了。
只要你过得好，我就放心。

Exams/Results

考完试，我终于放心了。
成绩还没出来，我还是放不下心。
老师说你进步很大，他很放心。
放心去考，你一定行！

Conversation Starters

"你对这次的考试放心吗？ (Are you at ease about this exam?)"

"什么样的人会让你感到最放心？ (What kind of person makes you feel most at ease?)"

"你最近有什么放不下心的事情吗？ (Is there anything you can't put your heart at ease about lately?)"

"买东西的时候，你最不放心的是什么？ (When buying things, what are you most uneasy about?)"

"如果我把这件事交给你，我可以放心吗？ (If I leave this matter to you, can I be at ease?)"

Journal Prompts

写一件让你终于放心的事情。 (Write about something that finally made you feel relieved.)

描述一个让你感到非常放心的人。 (Describe a person who makes you feel very much at ease.)

当你感到不放心时，你会怎么做？ (What do you do when you feel uneasy?)

为什么在中国文化中让父母‘放心’很重要？ (Why is it important to let parents 'be at ease' in Chinese culture?)

谈谈你对‘放心食品’的看法。 (Talk about your views on 'safe food'.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, this is incorrect. You must use '我对你放心' (Wǒ duì nǐ fàngxīn). '放心' is an intransitive verb-object compound and cannot take a direct object.

Use '放心' when you feel relieved about a specific worry (e.g., 'I'm glad you're safe'). Use '安心' when you want to focus on a task without distraction (e.g., 'Focus on your work').

It is technically a verb-object compound (verb), but it often functions like an adjective in Chinese because it can be modified by degree adverbs like '很' (very).

Use the separable form '放不下心' (fàng bu xià xīn). This is a very common and natural way to express persistent concern.

In China, '放心' implies that the consumer can 'rest assured' that the food is safe, clean, and trustworthy. It's a marketing and regulatory term.

Yes, '请放心' (Please rest assured) is a very common and professional way to reassure clients or partners.

It means 'to relax one's mind' or 'to not take things so seriously.' It's often used to comfort someone who is stressed or angry.

Yes, but with a different meaning. In Mencius, it meant a 'strayed' or 'lost' heart. The modern meaning of 'relief' developed later.

Yes, it is very common for children to say '妈妈放心' to tell their parents they will be good or safe.

It is meat that has been inspected and certified by the government as safe for consumption.