It is a versatile term used both to describe the effort invested in a task and to politely acknowledge someone else's trouble on your behalf.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To invest significant mental effort or energy into a task.
- Used as a polite expression to thank someone for their trouble.
- Indicates that a matter requires careful attention or extra work.
使用模式：费心常用于谓语位置。常见的结构包括“费心了”、“费心做某事”、“真让你费心了”。在口语中，它经常单独作为感叹句使用，表达对他人的谢意。
- 1常见语境：在职场中，当同事或上级为你处理繁琐事务时，说一句“费心了”非常得体。在个人生活中，当朋友为你准备礼物或安排行程时，使用该词能体现你的感激之情。此外，它也可以自谦，表示自己在某事上投入了大量心血，希望对方理解。
- 1近义词辨析：与“操心”相比，“费心”更侧重于为了达成某个目标而主动投入的精力和心思，带有一定的目的性和礼貌色彩；而“操心”则更侧重于由于担心、忧虑而产生的心理负担，常用于长辈对晚辈的关怀或对琐事的担忧。与“用心”相比，“费心”强调的是过程中的劳累感，而“用心”更强调态度上的认真。
Examples
这件事麻烦您费心了。
everydayThank you for taking the trouble to handle this.
为了这个项目，团队每个人都费心不少。
formalEveryone on the team put in a lot of effort for this project.
别费心了，我自己能搞定。
informalDon't bother, I can handle it myself.
费心周旋于各方势力之间，他感到非常疲惫。
academicExhausted by the effort of maneuvering between various factions.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
费心了
Thanks for your trouble
费心费力
Exhausting and demanding
不费心
No trouble at all
Often Confused With
Refers to worrying or being anxious about someone or something. While '费心' is about effort, '操心' is more about mental burden or concern.
Focuses on being attentive or earnest. '费心' is about the labor involved, whereas '用心' is about the quality of one's attitude.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
费心 is a versatile verb used in both formal and informal settings. It is most frequently used as a polite phrase to acknowledge someone's extra effort. In negative sentences, it often expresses a desire to spare someone from unnecessary trouble.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use '费心' as a synonym for 'worrying' (like 'I am worried about my test'), which is incorrect; '担心' should be used instead. Also, avoid using it in contexts where the effort is clearly negative or harmful.
Tips
Use it to show gratitude
When someone does a favor for you, adding '费心了' at the end of your thank you makes it sound much more sincere and culturally appropriate.
Don't use it for trivial tasks
Using '费心' for very small, effortless tasks might sound sarcastic. Reserve it for situations where the other person clearly put in real effort.
The value of modesty
In Chinese culture, acknowledging the effort others put into helping you is a key aspect of maintaining harmonious relationships.
Word Origin
Derived from the literal meaning of spending one's mental capacity. Over time, it evolved into a standard phrase for expressing social gratitude.
Cultural Context
In Chinese interpersonal relationships, explicitly acknowledging the 'cost' of someone's help is a way to show respect. Saying '费心了' validates the other person's time and effort.
Memory Tip
Think of '费' (spend/waste) + '心' (heart/mind). You are 'spending your mind' (effort) to get things done.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“费心”多指为了完成某事而主动投入精力，常用于感谢；“操心”多指因担心而产生的心理负担，常用于表达忧虑或对他人的照顾。
当你接受了他人的帮助、建议，或者对方为了你的事情特意花费时间时，说“费心了”是非常标准且礼貌的感谢方式。
不可以，“费心”在现代汉语中主要作为动词使用。如果想表达某事很麻烦，可以说“这事儿很费心”。
可以，这通常表示你不想让对方为你过于操劳，是一种体贴的表达方式。
Test Yourself
为了准备这次活动，你真是太___了，非常感谢！
此处表达对他人付出努力的感谢，应使用“费心”。
当同事帮你修改完一份很长的报告，你应该说什么？
“费心了”是表达对他人在工作中给予额外帮助的礼貌感谢。
这件事 / 麻烦 / 费心 / 您了
这是一个标准的礼貌请求或感谢句式。
Score: /3
Summary
It is a versatile term used both to describe the effort invested in a task and to politely acknowledge someone else's trouble on your behalf.
- To invest significant mental effort or energy into a task.
- Used as a polite expression to thank someone for their trouble.
- Indicates that a matter requires careful attention or extra work.
Use it to show gratitude
When someone does a favor for you, adding '费心了' at the end of your thank you makes it sound much more sincere and culturally appropriate.
Don't use it for trivial tasks
Using '费心' for very small, effortless tasks might sound sarcastic. Reserve it for situations where the other person clearly put in real effort.
The value of modesty
In Chinese culture, acknowledging the effort others put into helping you is a key aspect of maintaining harmonious relationships.
Examples
4 of 4这件事麻烦您费心了。
Thank you for taking the trouble to handle this.
为了这个项目，团队每个人都费心不少。
Everyone on the team put in a lot of effort for this project.
别费心了，我自己能搞定。
Don't bother, I can handle it myself.
费心周旋于各方势力之间，他感到非常疲惫。
Exhausted by the effort of maneuvering between various factions.
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