qíngyì: 情意 - Affection, Fondness, Tender Regard

Keywords: qingyi, 情意, Chinese word for affection, deep feelings in Chinese, Chinese love, Chinese friendship, Chinese sentiment, qing yi meaning, what is qingyi

Summary: 情意 (qíngyì) is a profound Chinese term describing a deep and cherished affection or fondness between people. More than just a fleeting emotion, it represents a lasting, tender bond built over time through shared experiences and mutual understanding. This sentiment can exist between lovers, close friends, or family, and is often expressed through thoughtful actions rather than direct words. Understanding 情意 is key to grasping the nuances of personal relationships in Chinese culture.

Pinyin (with tone marks): qíngyì

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 6

Concise Definition: A deep and sincere affection or fondness, often unspoken, between people.

In a Nutshell: Think of 情意 (qíngyì) as the warm, quiet glow of a long-burning fire, not the sudden flash of a spark. It’s the deep affection you feel for an old friend you can sit with in comfortable silence, the tender regard between a couple who have been together for years, or the unbreakable bond between siblings. It's a sentiment that is felt deeply and demonstrated through loyalty, care, and small, meaningful gestures.

情 (qíng): This character is composed of the “heart” radical (心) on the left and a phonetic component 青 (qīng) on the right. 情 is the root of almost all words related to feelings, emotions, and sentiment.

意 (yì): This character is made of “sound” (音) over “heart” (心). It signifies meaning, thought, or intention. It’s the thought or idea that originates from the heart.

When combined, 情意 (qíngyì) literally translates to “feeling-intention” or “affectionate thought.” This beautifully captures the essence of the word: it's not just a raw feeling (情), but an affection that is recognized, cherished, and forms the basis of one's intentions (意) toward another person.

In Chinese culture, relationships are often built on a foundation of subtle, long-term actions rather than grand, verbal declarations. 情意 is the perfect embodiment of this value. It signifies a bond that has stood the test of time and is understood implicitly, without needing to be constantly stated.

Comparison to a Western Concept: In English, we might use “affection,” “fondness,” or “a deep bond.” However, these terms don't fully capture the weight of 情意. A good comparison is the difference between saying “I care about you” and the unspoken understanding between two war veterans or childhood best friends. The former is a statement; the latter is a state of being, a shared history that implies deep loyalty and mutual support. 情意 is much closer to that latter concept. It carries a sense of warmth, loyalty, and a gentle, unspoken commitment that is highly valued in Chinese interpersonal relationships. It’s the emotional glue of long-term connections.

情意 has a slightly formal and literary feel. It’s not a word you would use in casual, everyday slang. You're more likely to encounter it in writing, songs, more serious conversations, or when someone is speaking from the heart.

Expressing Gratitude: It is often used when giving or receiving a gift. The gift itself is a physical representation of the giver's 情意.

Describing Relationships: People use it to describe the quality of a long-standing relationship. For example, you would talk about the deep 情意 between old classmates or a loving elderly couple.

Connotation: It is always positive and carries a sense of warmth, sincerity, and depth.

情意 (qíngyì) vs. 爱情 (àiqíng): This is a critical distinction. 爱情 (àiqíng) specifically means “romantic love.” 情意 is much broader. A married couple has both 爱情 and 情意. But two best friends of 30 years have a deep 情意, but not 爱情. Using 情意 for non-romantic relationships is perfectly normal.

情意 (qíngyì) vs. 感情 (gǎnqíng): 感情 (gǎnqíng) is a more general term for “feeling,” “emotion,” or the emotional basis of a relationship. You can have “good 感情” or “bad 感情.” However, 情意 is *always* a positive, warm, and cherished feeling. It's a specific, high-quality type of 感情.

Common Mistake: Using 情意 too casually. It implies depth and history. If you've just met someone and they help you, you would thank them for their 心意 (xīnyì - kind thought/intention), not their 情意. Saying “我们之间有很深的情意” (We have a deep affection) about someone you've only known for a week would sound strange and overly dramatic.

感情 (gǎnqíng) - The general, neutral term for feeling or the emotional connection between people. 情意 is a specific, positive type of 感情.

爱情 (àiqíng) - Romantic love. It is a form of 情意, but 情意 is not always 爱情.

友情 (yǒuqíng) - The feeling of friendship. A deep, long-lasting 友情 is a perfect example of 情意.

亲情 (qīnqíng) - Affection between family members. This is another core type of 情意.

心意 (xīnyì) - A kind thought, intention, or token of appreciation. It often refers to a specific gesture (like a small gift), whereas 情意 refers to the underlying, long-term bond.

恩情 (ēnqíng) - A feeling of deep gratitude and affection towards a benefactor. This is a bond built on a significant favor or act of grace.

深情 (shēnqíng) - Deep feeling; deep love. Often used as an adjective to describe a look or action (e.g., 深情的眼神 - a look full of deep love).

情分 (qíngfèn) - The mutual bond or affection that defines a relationship's closeness. You might say two people “有情分” (have a bond).