liángxīn: 良心 - Conscience

Keywords: liángxīn, liangxin, 良心, Chinese for conscience, what does liangxin mean, moral compass in Chinese, good heart, 有良心 (yǒu liángxīn), 没良心 (méi liángxīn), Chinese ethics, Chinese culture

Summary: 良心 (liángxīn) is the Chinese word for “conscience,” but it means much more than an inner voice. Translating literally to “good heart,” 良心 is a fundamental concept in Chinese culture representing a person's innate moral compass, empathy, and sense of responsibility towards others. Understanding when someone is praised for having a conscience (有良心, yǒu liángxīn) or condemned for lacking one (没良心, méi liángxīn) is key to grasping everyday Chinese ethics.

Pinyin (with tone marks): liángxīn

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: The innate moral sense of right and wrong; conscience.

In a Nutshell: Think of 良心 not just as the little voice that tells you not to do something bad, but as the very core of your “good-heartedness.” It's an active, social concept. A person with 良心 doesn't just feel guilt; they are driven to act ethically, treat people fairly, and fulfill their responsibilities. It is the foundation of being a decent, trustworthy person in society.

良 (liáng): This character means “good,” “fine,” “virtuous,” or “desirable.” It implies an inherent, positive quality. Think of it as the “good” in “good person” or “good quality.”

心 (xīn): This character means “heart.” In Chinese culture, the heart is not just a biological organ but also the seat of thought, emotion, and consciousness.

When combined, 良心 (liángxīn) literally translates to “good heart.” This simple and powerful combination creates the meaning of conscience—a moral compass that originates from a person's fundamentally good nature and mind.

Philosophical Roots: The concept of 良心 is deeply influenced by Confucianism, particularly the teachings of Mencius (孟子), who believed that humans are innately good (性善説, xìngshànshuō). This innate goodness is the source of one's 良心. It's the internal compass that, if followed, leads to virtuous behavior like benevolence (仁, rén) and righteousness (义, yì).

Comparison to Western “Conscience”: In Western culture, “conscience” can sometimes be an abstract, individualistic, or even guilt-ridden concept (e.g., a “guilty conscience”). It is often framed as an internal struggle between the self and a moral code. In contrast, 良心 is profoundly social and practical. A person's 良心 is judged almost entirely by their actions and their impact on others—their family, their community, and society at large. Lacking 良心 isn't just a personal failing; it's a social crime, a betrayal of the trust that holds society together.

Related Values: Acting with 良心 is directly tied to core Chinese values like social harmony (和谐, héxié), trustworthiness (信用, xìnyòng), and filial piety (孝, xiào). For example, a child who takes good care of their elderly parents is said to have 良心. A business that sells safe, high-quality products is called a “良心 enterprise” (良心企业, liángxīn qǐyè).

In Business: The term is frequently used in consumer contexts. A restaurant that uses fresh ingredients and charges fair prices is a `良心餐厅 (liángxīn cāntīng)`. A company that cheats its customers is described as `黑心 (hēixīn)` or “black-hearted,” the opposite of 良心.

On Social Media: Netizens will often appeal to a person's or company's 良心 when scandals break, asking questions like `你的良心不会痛吗？ (Nǐ de liángxīn bú huì tòng ma?)` - “Doesn't your conscience hurt?”

Not for Minor Mistakes: Do not use `没良心` for small, unintentional errors. It is a serious accusation about a person's fundamental character. If someone forgets to call you back, they are careless (`粗心, cūxīn`), not heartless (`没良心`). You reserve `没良心` for serious transgressions like betrayal, abandonment, or profound selfishness.

`道德 (dàodé)` - Morality; ethics. A broader, more formal, and systematic concept than the personal 良心. 道德 refers to the rules, while 良心 is the internal faculty that follows them.

`良知 (liángzhī)` - Innate knowledge of good. Very similar to 良心 but more philosophical, often associated with the philosopher Wang Yangming. It's the “knowing” part of conscience.

`正义感 (zhèngyì gǎn)` - A sense of justice. Describes the drive to see fairness and righteousness prevail. It's one aspect of having a good 良心.

`人心 (rénxīn)` - The human heart; public sentiment. Can be good or bad (e.g., `人心叵测` - the human heart is unpredictable). 良心, by contrast, is always inherently good.

`仁慈 (réncí)` - Benevolent; merciful. This is a quality or an action that a person with 良心 would display.

`黑心 (hēixīn)` - “Black heart.” The direct antonym of a “good heart.” Describes someone or something (especially a business) that is wicked, greedy, and completely unethical. Often seen in `黑心商家 (hēixīn shāngjiā)`.

`凭良心 (píng liángxīn)` - To act according to one's conscience. A common verb phrase highlighting the active nature of the term.

`问心无愧 (wènxīn-wúkuì)` - To have a clear conscience. A chengyu (idiom) that literally means “to ask one's heart and feel no shame.”