You use 疑心 when you do not trust someone. It is like saying 'I think you are lying.' You use it when you are not sure about the truth.
疑心 is a word for feeling unsure. If your friend says they did homework but you think they didn't, you have 疑心. It is a feeling of doubt.
At this level, you understand that 疑心 describes a state of mind. It is often used in stories to describe a character who is suspicious of others' motives. It is a common way to express skepticism.
疑心 represents a nuanced psychological state. It is not just about a single lie, but a persistent attitude of distrust. It is frequently used in professional and personal contexts to explain why someone might be hesitant to cooperate.
In advanced usage, 疑心 is often linked to the concept of 'paranoia' or 'skepticism.' It appears in literature to describe the erosion of trust in complex relationships. It suggests a deep-seated apprehension that influences one's decision-making process.
At the highest level, 疑心 is analyzed as a cultural and philosophical construct. It touches on the tension between caution and social cohesion. It is used in academic discourse to discuss the limits of human perception and the subjective nature of truth-seeking in interpersonal dynamics.
疑心 in 30 Seconds
- Means distrust or suspicion.
- Noun form only.
- Used in negative contexts.
- Common in interpersonal talk.
When we talk about 疑心 (yí xīn), we are talking about that nagging feeling of distrust. It is the mental state where you start questioning if someone is hiding the truth or if a situation is as good as it seems.
Think of it as a detective's instinct. You aren't sure, but you are definitely looking for clues because something feels 'off.' It’s a very human emotion that helps us stay safe, but too much of it can make it hard to build real friendships.
The word 疑心 is composed of two Chinese characters. The first, 疑 (yí), literally means to doubt or suspect. It originally depicted a person looking around in confusion or uncertainty.
The second character, 心 (xīn), means 'heart' or 'mind.' In ancient philosophy, the heart was considered the center of thought and emotion. Therefore, 疑心 literally translates to a 'doubting heart' or a 'suspicious mind.' It has been used in classical literature for centuries to describe characters who are overly cautious or paranoid.
You use 疑心 when describing someone's internal attitude. It is common to say someone 'has' 疑心 (有疑心) or that something 'causes' 疑心 (引起疑心).
In formal settings, it might describe a lack of trust in a business partner. In casual settings, it’s often used between friends when someone acts strangely. It is a neutral-to-negative term, as it implies a lack of trust which can be either necessary for safety or harmful to relationships.
1. 疑心生暗鬼: Suspicion creates imaginary ghosts; meaning fear and doubt make you see problems that aren't there.
2. 疑人不用，用人不疑: If you suspect someone, don't use them; if you use them, don't suspect them.
3. 心生疑心: A heart gives birth to suspicion.
4. 打消疑心: To clear away one's suspicions.
5. 满腹疑心: Full of suspicion; being extremely doubtful about everything.
In Chinese, 疑心 functions primarily as a noun. It is often used with verbs like 'have' (有) or 'arise' (起). The pronunciation is 'yí' (second tone) and 'xīn' (first tone).
It doesn't have a plural form because it is an abstract concept. It is often used as a direct object in a sentence. It sounds somewhat rhythmic, with the rising tone of 'yí' followed by the level tone of 'xīn'.
Fun Fact
The character 疑 originally showed a person looking around in fear.
Pronunciation Guide
- Wrong tone on yi
- Wrong tone on xin
- Mispronouncing the y sound
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun usage
有疑心
Verb-Object structure
产生疑心
Adjective modifier
满腹疑心
Examples by Level
他有疑心。
He has suspicion.
Subject + verb + noun
别有疑心。
Don't have suspicion.
Imperative
这引起了我的疑心。
This caused my suspicion.
Passive-like structure
他没有疑心。
He has no suspicion.
Negative
疑心不好。
Suspicion is not good.
Noun as subject
你有疑心吗？
Do you have suspicion?
Question form
疑心很重。
Suspicion is very heavy/strong.
Adjective complement
放下疑心。
Put down suspicion.
Verb-object
他对我产生了疑心。
不要随便疑心别人。
她的疑心很重。
我没有理由疑心他。
疑心会破坏友谊。
他总是满腹疑心。
这事儿让人疑心。
请消除你的疑心。
他的疑心让他无法入睡。
由于缺乏证据，他打消了疑心。
疑心是人际关系的杀手。
尽管他表现得很好，我仍有疑心。
不要让疑心控制你的判断。
她的疑心并非空穴来风。
对于这个计划，我心存疑心。
疑心病是一种心理状态。
在商业谈判中，过度的疑心往往会导致交易失败。
他那多疑的性格总是让人感到疑心。
我们必须在信任与疑心之间找到平衡。
这种突如其来的疑心让我感到不安。
他试图掩盖自己的疑心。
疑心一旦产生，就很难消除。
从他的眼神里，我看到了疑心。
不要因为一时的疑心而做出错误的决定。
这种根深蒂固的疑心源于他过去的经历。
在复杂的政治博弈中，疑心成了生存的本能。
他以一种近乎偏执的疑心审视着周围的一切。
这种疑心不仅伤害了别人，也折磨了他自己。
我们应当警惕那种毫无根据的疑心。
疑心在文学作品中常被用作推动情节的动力。
在真相大白之前，他始终无法摆脱心中的疑心。
这种疑心反映了社会信任的缺失。
这种疑心不仅是心理层面的，更是对社会契约的深层质疑。
在那个动荡的年代，疑心是每个人心中的阴影。
他将这种疑心升华为一种批判性的思维方式。
这种疑心是对权力的天然防卫机制。
在哲学探讨中，疑心被视为通往真理的第一步。
这种疑心在字里行间流露出来，令人不寒而栗。
我们必须区分合理的警惕与病态的疑心。
这种疑心是由于信息不对称造成的必然结果。
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"疑心生暗鬼"
Suspicion creates imaginary ghosts
别瞎想，疑心生暗鬼。
proverbial"疑人不用"
If you suspect, don't use
老板总是疑人不用。
formal"满腹狐疑"
Full of suspicion
他满腹狐疑地看着我。
literary"疑神疑鬼"
Suspicious of everything
他总是疑神疑鬼的。
casual"打消疑虑"
Clear doubts
他终于打消了疑虑。
neutral"心生芥蒂"
Doubt/suspicion causing distance
这事让他们心生芥蒂。
formalEasily Confused
Both mean doubt
怀疑 is a verb/noun, 疑心 is only noun
我怀疑他 vs 他有疑心
Both imply questioning
好奇 is positive interest
我对这个好奇
Both are negative feelings
担心 is about worry/safety
我担心你
Both mean suspicion
猜忌 is more formal/hostile
他们互相猜忌
Sentence Patterns
Subject + 有 + 疑心
他有疑心。
Subject + 产生 + 疑心
我产生了疑心。
Subject + 打消 + 疑心
他打消了疑心。
Subject + 满腹 + 疑心
他满腹疑心。
Subject + 对 + Object + 有 + 疑心
我对这件事有疑心。
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
-
Using '疑心' as a verb
→
Use '怀疑'
疑心 is a noun, not a verb.
-
Confusing with '问题'
→
Use '疑心' for distrust
问题 means problem/question.
-
Using in positive context
→
Use for negative distrust
疑心 is inherently negative.
-
Overusing in casual speech
→
Use '怀疑' for casual
疑心 sounds a bit more serious.
-
Mixing with '好奇'
→
Use '好奇' for curiosity
好奇 is positive; 疑心 is negative.
Tips
Visual Trick
Picture a heart with a question mark.
Native Context
Used when you feel someone is lying.
Cultural Insight
Used in traditional stories.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow with a verb like 'have'.
Say It Right
Focus on the tones.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use as a verb.
Did You Know?
It means 'doubting heart'.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences about trust.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a heart (心) that is questioning (疑).
Visual Association
A heart with a question mark inside.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to identify one thing you are suspicious of today.
Word Origin
Chinese
Original meaning: Doubting heart
Cultural Context
Can be offensive if used to accuse someone without evidence.
Equates to 'suspicion' or 'distrust'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At work
- 产生疑心
- 打消疑心
- 毫无疑心
In relationships
- 不要疑心
- 消除疑心
- 因为疑心
In stories
- 满腹疑心
- 心生疑心
- 疑神疑鬼
Daily life
- 你有疑心吗
- 别有疑心
- 引起疑心
Conversation Starters
"Do you think suspicion is always bad?"
"What makes you have suspicion about someone?"
"How do you clear your suspicion?"
"Can you trust someone after having suspicion?"
"Is suspicion necessary for safety?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had suspicion.
How do you build trust after suspicion?
Is it easy to lose trust?
What does a 'doubting heart' mean to you?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is a noun.
No, use 好奇.
Usually, yes.
我毫无疑心.
Yes, very common.
No.
Usually for people/events.
信任 (Trust).
Test Yourself 5 questions
他对我很有___。
Context requires a word for distrust.
Which means suspicion?
Definition match.
疑心 is a positive word.
It implies distrust.
/ 5 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
疑心 is the 'doubting heart' that makes us question the truth.
- Means distrust or suspicion.
- Noun form only.
- Used in negative contexts.
- Common in interpersonal talk.
Visual Trick
Picture a heart with a question mark.
Native Context
Used when you feel someone is lying.
Cultural Insight
Used in traditional stories.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow with a verb like 'have'.
Example
他因为疑心太重而失去了朋友。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
一点
A1A little; a bit; slightly.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
