‘当心’ is a high-frequency verb used to urge alertness and prevent accidents in daily life.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to warn about immediate physical dangers or potential errors.
- Functions as both a standalone imperative and a transitive verb.
- Commonly seen on public safety signs across Chinese-speaking regions.
Overview
- 1概览：“当心”是一个非常实用的汉语词汇，主要用于传达警示信息。在结构上，“当”意为面对或处在某个位置，“心”指心思或注意力。合起来就是要求人们把心思放在当前正在发生的事情上，以确保安全。它是初学者在日常生活中最先接触到的安全用语之一。
- 1用法模式：该词用法灵活。首先，它可以作为祈使句独立使用，例如在紧急情况下大喊一声“当心！”（Watch out!）。其次，它可以接名词作宾语，如“当心车辆”、“当心火烛”。此外，它也常接动词短语或从句，提醒对方不要做某事，最常见的结构是“当心别/不要+动词”，例如“当心别着凉”。
- 1常见语境：最常见的语境是公共安全，如在火车站、建筑工地或滑溜的路面上看到的警告标志。在社交场合，它也用于表达长辈对晚辈或朋友间的关怀，比如在送行时说“路上当心”。在现代生活中，它也频繁出现在防范网络诈骗、保护个人隐私的语境中。
- 1同义词辨析：“当心”与“小心”在很多情况下可以互换，但“小心”的使用范围更广，它既可以做动词也可以做形容词（如：他是个很小心的人），而“当心”通常只作动词。与“留心”相比，“留心”侧重于细心观察或寻找机会，而“当心”则带有明显的防范负面后果的意味。与“警惕”相比，“当心”更偏向于日常生活中的小事，而“警惕”则显得更为严肃和正式。
Examples
当心！那里的地很滑。
everydayWatch out! The floor there is very slippery.
当心火烛，注意安全。
formalBe careful with fire and pay attention to safety.
外面风大，你出门当心别感冒了。
informalIt's windy outside; be careful not to catch a cold when you go out.
在处理这些化学药品时，必须格外当心。
academicOne must be extremely careful when handling these chemicals.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
当心地滑
Caution: Slippery floor
当心碰头
Watch your head
当心门户
Be careful to lock doors and windows
Often Confused With
While both mean 'be careful', '小心' can be an adjective describing a person's nature, whereas '当心' is almost exclusively a verb for specific warnings.
‘留心’ means to pay attention or keep an eye out for something (often positive or neutral), while ‘当心’ is specifically about avoiding danger.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
‘当心’ is neutral in register and can be used in both spoken and written Chinese. In spoken language, it is often stressed on the second syllable for emphasis. In written signs, it is frequently followed by a two-character noun to create a rhythmic four-character warning (e.g., 当心火烛).
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is using '当心' as an adjective (e.g., 'He is very dangxin'). Another error is using it to mean 'take care of' in a general sense like 'take care of a baby,' where '照看' or '照顾' would be appropriate.
Tips
Use it as a quick shout
If you see someone about to trip, just shout 'Dāngxīn!' to get their immediate attention.
Don't use as a personality trait
Avoid saying 'He is very dangxin.' Use 'He is very xiaoxin' (小心) instead to describe a careful person.
Common sight on Chinese streets
You will see yellow triangular signs starting with '当心' everywhere, from wet floors to high voltage areas.
Word Origin
The character '当' (dāng) means to face or be at a certain point, and '心' (xīn) means heart or mind. The combination suggests placing one's mental focus directly on a potential hazard.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, telling someone to 'dangxin' is a common way to show affection and concern, especially when someone is traveling or starting a new task.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Dang' as 'facing' and 'Xin' as 'heart'. To 'Dangxin' is to put your heart/mind right in front of what you are doing to protect yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions不完全一样。虽然两者都表示要谨慎，但“小心”可以描述一个人的性格（形容词），而“当心”主要用于动作提醒。例如你可以说“他很小心”，但不能说“他很当心”。
警示牌上“当心”和“小心”都很常见，但“当心”后通常直接跟具体的危险源，如“当心碰头”或“当心落石”。
可以。例如“当心他骗你”，这里的危险不是物理上的，而是指信用或金钱上的风险。
没有，它是一个中性词。它既可以用于善意的提醒，也可以用于客观的警告。
Test Yourself
天黑了，下楼梯的时候要___。
“当心”表示注意安全，符合下楼梯的语境。
选择错误的句子：
“当心”不能作为形容词来描述人的性格特征。
路滑 / 走路 / 请 / 当心
“路滑请走路当心”是标准的提醒用语。
Score: /3
Summary
‘当心’ is a high-frequency verb used to urge alertness and prevent accidents in daily life.
- Used to warn about immediate physical dangers or potential errors.
- Functions as both a standalone imperative and a transitive verb.
- Commonly seen on public safety signs across Chinese-speaking regions.
Use it as a quick shout
If you see someone about to trip, just shout 'Dāngxīn!' to get their immediate attention.
Don't use as a personality trait
Avoid saying 'He is very dangxin.' Use 'He is very xiaoxin' (小心) instead to describe a careful person.
Common sight on Chinese streets
You will see yellow triangular signs starting with '当心' everywhere, from wet floors to high voltage areas.
Examples
4 of 4当心！那里的地很滑。
Watch out! The floor there is very slippery.
当心火烛，注意安全。
Be careful with fire and pay attention to safety.
外面风大，你出门当心别感冒了。
It's windy outside; be careful not to catch a cold when you go out.
在处理这些化学药品时，必须格外当心。
One must be extremely careful when handling these chemicals.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More daily_life words
朝九晚五
B2From nine to five; regular working hours.
废弃
B2To abandon; to discard; to cease to use.
恪守
B2To scrupulously observe; to strictly adhere to.
未免
B2Rather; a bit too; truly (implies something excessive).
反常
B2abnormal, unusual
充裕
B2Abundant; ample.
充沛
B2Abundant; plentiful; full of energy.
门禁卡
B2Access card; entry card.
门禁
B2Access control (system).
配件
B2Fittings; accessories; spare parts.
