xīnlǐ: 心理 - Psychology, Mentality, Mind

Keywords: xīnlǐ, xinli, 心理, Chinese psychology, what does xinli mean, mentality in Chinese, Chinese word for mind, psychological in Chinese, mental health in Chinese, 心理健康, 心理学, Chinese mindset

Summary: Discover the meaning of 心理 (xīnlǐ), a fundamental Chinese word that translates to “psychology,” “mentality,” or “mind.” This entry explores how 心理 is used in both formal contexts, like the academic field of psychology (心理学), and in everyday conversations to describe a person's mental state, stress levels, and overall mindset. Learn the cultural nuances behind mental wellness in China and how to use this versatile term correctly.

Pinyin (with tone marks): xīnlǐ

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 4

Concise Definition: Psychology, the mind, mentality, or one's inner psychological state.

In a Nutshell: Think of 心理 (xīnlǐ) as a bridge between the scientific and the personal. On one end, it's the formal, academic field of “psychology” that studies how people think and behave. On the other end, it's the everyday, personal concept of someone's “mentality” or “state of mind.” It's less about the physical brain and more about the inner world of thoughts, feelings, and mental pressures.

心 (xīn): This character originally depicted a human heart. In Chinese, the heart is traditionally seen as the center of both emotion and thought. So, 心 means “heart,” but also “mind” or “feeling.”

理 (lǐ): This character means “reason,” “logic,” or “principle.” It contains the radical for “jade” (玉), suggesting the act of carving or polishing jade to reveal its inner pattern or principle.

When combined, 心理 (xīnlǐ) literally means “the principles of the heart/mind.” This elegantly captures the essence of both psychology (the study of the mind's principles) and mentality (the internal logic that governs a person's feelings and thoughts).

In Chinese culture, the concept of 心理 has undergone a significant transformation. Traditionally, emotional and psychological struggles were often viewed as private family matters or signs of personal weakness, not to be discussed openly. The emphasis was on endurance and maintaining social harmony (和谐, héxié) rather than expressing inner turmoil.

This contrasts with the modern Western approach, where therapy and open discussions about mental health are increasingly common. However, China is catching up rapidly. The term 心理健康 (xīnlǐ jiànkāng), or “mental health,” is now a major topic of discussion, especially among the urban youth who face immense academic and professional pressure (a phenomenon sometimes called `内卷`, `nèijuǎn`).

While the stigma is fading, the cultural value of “face” or social dignity (面子, miànzi) can still make it difficult for some to admit they need psychological help. Understanding 心理 is key to understanding the modern Chinese experience of stress, ambition, and the growing awareness of mental well-being.

`心理` vs. “Mind”: While often translated as “mind,” 心理 is more about your emotional and mental framework than cognitive functions like memory or calculation. For “brain” or “intellect,” you might use `头脑 (tóunǎo)`. For example, `他头脑很聪明 (Tā tóunǎo hěn cōngmíng)` means “He is very smart/quick-witted.” You wouldn't say `他心理很聪明`.

`心理学 (xīnlǐxué)` - The formal academic discipline of Psychology.

`心理健康 (xīnlǐ jiànkāng)` - Mental health; a crucial modern concept.

`心态 (xīntài)` - Mindset or attitude. Often used to describe one's outlook on life (e.g., `积极的心态`, a positive attitude). It's very close to 心理 but focuses more on attitude.

`心情 (xīnqíng)` - Mood. A temporary emotional state (happy, sad, angry).

`精神 (jīngshén)` - Spirit, vigor, consciousness. Can refer to one's energy level (`精神很好`, full of energy) or a more abstract sense of spirit or mind.

`思想 (sīxiǎng)` - Thought, ideology. Refers to a structured system of thinking, often in a political or philosophical context.

`压力 (yālì)` - Pressure, stress. Often preceded by 心理 to specify that the stress is mental, not physical.

`情绪 (qíngxù)` - Emotion, feeling. A general term for emotions, often used when discussing emotional stability or control (`情绪稳定`, emotionally stable).