Keywords: aixin, 爱心, meaning of aixin, aixin Chinese, Chinese word for compassion, loving heart in Chinese, Chinese charity, what is aixin, learn Chinese compassion, HSK 4 vocabulary
Summary: Learn the meaning of 爱心 (àixīn), a fundamental Chinese word representing a “loving heart,” compassion, and kindness in action. This guide breaks down the characters 爱 (love) and 心 (heart), explores its cultural significance, and provides 10 practical example sentences. Understand how 爱心 (àixīn) differs from simple “love” and is used in contexts of charity, volunteering, and describing a person's benevolent character in modern China.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): ài xīn
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: A heart full of love and compassion, especially the kind that motivates acts of charity and kindness towards others.
In a Nutshell:爱心 (àixīn) is more than just the feeling of love; it's a tangible, active compassion directed at the community, animals, or anyone in need. Think of it as the “love” that fuels good deeds. If you see someone helping a stray cat, volunteering at a shelter, or donating to a cause, you would say they have 爱心 (àixīn). It's the quality of being a kind, caring, and charitable person.
Character Breakdown
爱 (ài): This character means “love” or “to love.” The traditional form (愛) famously contains the character 心 (xīn), or “heart,” right in the middle, visually showing that love comes from the heart.
心 (xīn): This character means “heart.” It's used both literally for the organ and metaphorically for the center of one's feelings, mind, and spirit.
When combined, 爱心 (àixīn) literally translates to “love-heart.” It creates a single, powerful concept: a disposition or state of having a heart filled with compassionate love for others.
Cultural Context and Significance
爱心 (àixīn) is a highly praised social virtue in modern Chinese society. It embodies a sense of social responsibility and collective well-being. While ancient philosophies like Confucianism emphasized `仁 (rén)` (benevolence), 爱心 (àixīn) is its modern, everyday manifestation. It's the engine behind community fundraisers, disaster relief efforts, and everyday acts of kindness.
Comparison to Western Concepts:爱心 (àixīn) is similar to the English words “compassion” or “charity,” but with a key difference.
Compassion is a feeling of sympathy. 爱心 (àixīn) is also a feeling, but it strongly implies an active, giving nature. It's compassion put into practice.
Charity often refers to the formal act or organization (e.g., “donating to a charity”). 爱心 (àixīn) is the personal quality or the internal motivation that drives a person to perform charitable acts. You do something out of爱心 (àixīn). A person doesn't “have charity,” but they can “have 爱心” (有爱心).
Practical Usage in Modern China
Describing People: The most common use is to describe someone as a kind and caring person. The phrase 有爱心 (yǒu àixīn), “to have a loving heart,” is a very high compliment.
Charity and Volunteering: The term is central to all forms of philanthropy. Events are often called “爱心活动 (àixīn huódòng)” (charity events), and donations are called “爱心捐款 (àixīn juānkuǎn)” (charitable donations). The act of donating is often phrased as “献爱心 (xiàn àixīn),” which literally means “to offer up one's loving heart.”
Formality:爱心 (àixīn) is used across all levels of formality. It appears in government speeches about social welfare, in company slogans about corporate responsibility, and in casual conversations when praising a friend's kindness. Its connotation is universally positive.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
她是一个很有爱心的老师，总是耐心地帮助学生。
Pinyin: Tā shì yí ge hěn yǒu àixīn de lǎoshī, zǒngshì nàixīn de bāngzhù xuéshēng.
English: She is a very compassionate teacher; she always patiently helps her students.
Analysis: Here, 有爱心 (yǒu àixīn) is used as an adjective phrase to describe the teacher's character. It's a common and very positive way to praise someone.
Example 2:
这次活动收到了很多爱心捐款。
Pinyin: Zhè cì huódòng shōudào le hěn duō àixīn juānkuǎn.
English: This event received many charitable donations.
Analysis: 爱心 (àixīn) functions here like an adjective, modifying “donations” (`捐款`) to specify their charitable nature. This is very common in news reports or announcements about fundraising.
Example 3:
谢谢你的爱心，这些小猫现在有家了。
Pinyin: Xièxiè nǐ de àixīn, zhèxiē xiǎo māo xiànzài yǒu jiā le.
English: Thank you for your compassion; these kittens have a home now.
Analysis: This sentence shows 爱心 (àixīn) as a possession—“your compassion.” It directly links the person's quality of 爱心 to a positive outcome.
English: Many young people use their vacation time to be volunteers, showing their love and care for society.
Analysis: 献爱心 (xiàn àixīn) is a set verb-object phrase meaning “to offer/dedicate one's loving heart.” It's a slightly more formal way to say “do a charitable act.”
Example 5:
他的行为充满了爱心和善良。
Pinyin: Tā de xíngwéi chōngmǎn le àixīn hé shànliáng.
English: His actions were full of compassion and kindness.
Analysis: This shows 爱心 (àixīn) as an abstract concept that can “fill” something, like one's actions. It's often paired with `善良 (shànliáng)`, meaning “kindness.”
English: We need to cultivate children's compassion, letting them learn to care for others.
Analysis: This highlights that 爱心 (àixīn) is seen as a quality that can and should be nurtured from a young age.
Example 8:
只要人人都献出一份爱心，世界将变成美好的人间。
Pinyin: Zhǐyào rén rén dōu xiàn chū yí fèn àixīn, shìjiè jiāng biànchéng měihǎo de rénjiān.
English: If everyone contributes a bit of love and compassion, the world will become a beautiful place.
Analysis: A famous line from a classic Chinese song. It shows 爱心 (àixīn) as something quantifiable with measure words like `一份 (yí fèn)`, “a portion of.”
Example 9:
什么是真正的爱心？是行动，而不仅仅是同情。
Pinyin: Shénme shì zhēnzhèng de àixīn? Shì xíngdòng, ér bù jǐnjǐn shì tóngqíng.
English: What is true compassion? It is action, not just sympathy.
Analysis: This sentence philosophically defines 爱心 (àixīn) by contrasting it with mere sympathy (`同情 tóngqíng`), emphasizing its active nature.
Example 10:
他对小动物特别有爱心。
Pinyin: Tā duì xiǎo dòngwù tèbié yǒu àixīn.
English: He is especially compassionate towards small animals.
Analysis: This shows that 爱心 (àixīn) is not limited to humans. The structure `对 (duì)… 有爱心 (yǒu àixīn)` means “to have compassion towards…”
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`爱心 (àixīn)` vs. `爱情 (àiqíng)`: This is the most critical distinction for learners.
爱心 (àixīn) is compassionate, altruistic love for humanity, animals, or society. It is NOT romantic.
爱情 (àiqíng) specifically means romantic love between partners.
Incorrect: 我对你有爱心。(Wǒ duì nǐ yǒu àixīn.) This would sound very strange, like you see your partner as a charity case.
Correct: 我爱你。(Wǒ ài nǐ.) or 我们的爱情很美。(Wǒmen de àiqíng hěn měi.)
`爱心 (àixīn)` is a Noun, Not a Verb: You cannot “爱心” someone. It is a quality you possess or an abstract thing you can give.
Incorrect: 我爱心你。(Wǒ àixīn nǐ.)
Correct: 我有爱心。(Wǒ yǒu àixīn.) - “I have compassion.”
Correct: 我想献爱心。(Wǒ xiǎng xiàn àixīn.) - “I want to make a charitable contribution.”
“False Friend” with English “Love”: While derived from “love,” 爱心 (àixīn) has a much narrower meaning. You use the English word “love” for your family, partner, hobbies, and food. 爱心 (àixīn) is almost exclusively used for selfless, compassionate love towards those in need or the community at large.
Related Terms and Concepts
爱 (ài) - The general character and word for “love.” 爱心 is a specific type of 爱.