chéngkěn: 诚恳 - Sincere, Heartfelt, Earnest

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• Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of 诚恳 (chéngkěn), a crucial Chinese word describing a sincere, heartfelt, and earnest attitude. This guide explores its cultural significance, how it differs from similar terms like “真诚 (zhēnchéng)”, and provides practical examples for apologies, advice, and building trust in modern China. Master 诚恳 (chéngkěn) to express deep sincerity and navigate social situations with greater cultural fluency.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chéng kěn
• Part of Speech: Adjective, Adverb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To be sincere, heartfelt, and earnest in one's attitude, speech, or actions.
• In a Nutshell: 诚恳 (chéngkěn) goes beyond just being “sincere.” It describes a type of sincerity that is serious, respectful, and visibly genuine. Think of the attitude you would adopt when making a deeply important apology, giving crucial advice to a friend, or making a solemn request. It’s not about being fake or overly formal; it's about showing that your words come from a place of deep, earnest consideration.

• 诚 (chéng): This character is composed of the “speech” radical (言) on the left and 成 (chéng), meaning “to complete” or “to accomplish,” on the right. Together, they signify speech that is complete, whole, and true—in other words, sincerity and honesty.
• 恳 (kěn): This character is more complex, but its core meaning relates to being earnest, sincere, and even to plead or request earnestly. It adds a layer of depth and gravity.
• When combined, 诚恳 (chéngkěn) creates a powerful term meaning “sincere and earnest.” The 诚 (chéng) provides the truthfulness, while the 恳 (kěn) adds the heartfelt, serious attitude.

In Chinese culture, demonstrating sincerity is paramount for building trust and maintaining harmonious relationships. 诚恳 (chéngkěn) is a key virtue in this context. It is not just a feeling but an attitude that must be actively shown and perceived by others. A useful Western comparison is the difference between saying “my bad” and delivering a formal, heartfelt apology. While “sincere” in English can sometimes be used casually (“I'm sincerely sorry I'm late”), 诚恳 (chéngkěn) is almost always reserved for situations with more weight. An apology described as 诚恳 involves not just the right words, but also appropriate body language, tone of voice, and a visible sense of gravity and remorse. This reflects a cultural value where the manner in which something is communicated is as important as the message itself. Displaying a 诚恳 attitude shows respect and acknowledges the seriousness of the situation, which is essential for mending relationships and preserving social harmony.

诚恳 (chéngkěn) is used in situations that require a demonstration of genuine, serious intent. It is more formal than casual, everyday language.

• Making Apologies: This is one of the most common uses. A 诚恳的道歉 (chéngkěn de dàoqiàn) is a “sincere apology” that is expected after a significant mistake.
• Giving Advice: When you want to show that your advice comes from a place of genuine care, you can use 诚恳. It adds weight and persuades the listener that you have their best interests at heart.
• Requests and Negotiations: In business or formal requests, adopting a 诚恳的态度 (chéngkěn de tàidù), or a “sincere attitude,” can help build trust and show that you are negotiating in good faith.
• Complimenting Character: Describing someone as a 诚恳的人 (chéngkěn de rén) is a high compliment, suggesting they are earnest, trustworthy, and not superficial.

• Example 1:
  • 他为自己的错误做了诚恳的道歉。
  • Pinyin: Tā wèi zìjǐ de cuòwù zuòle chéngkěn de dàoqiàn.
  • English: He made a sincere apology for his mistake.
  • Analysis: This is a classic use case. The apology wasn't just words; it was heartfelt and serious, which is what 诚恳 conveys.
• Example 2:
  • 我诚恳地建议你再考虑一下这个决定。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ chéngkěn de jiànyì nǐ zài kǎolǜ yīxià zhège juédìng.
  • English: I earnestly suggest you reconsider this decision.
  • Analysis: Using 诚恳 here as an adverb emphasizes that the speaker is not being flippant. The advice is serious and comes from a place of genuine concern.
• Example 3:
  • 他的态度很诚恳，我们决定给他一个机会。
  • Pinyin: Tā de tàidù hěn chéngkěn, wǒmen juédìng gěi tā yīgè jīhuì.
  • English: His attitude was very sincere, so we decided to give him a chance.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights how a 诚恳 attitude can directly influence outcomes, especially in professional or formal settings. It builds trust.
• Example 4:
  • 她用诚恳的目光看着我，我没法拒绝她的请求。
  • Pinyin: Tā yòng chéngkěn de mùguāng kànzhe wǒ, wǒ méi fǎ jùjué tā de qǐngqiú.
  • English: She looked at me with such an earnest gaze that I couldn't refuse her request.
  • Analysis: 诚恳 can describe non-verbal expressions, like one's eyes or gaze, to show deep sincerity.
• Example 5:
  • 我们希望与贵公司进行诚恳的合作。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xīwàng yǔ guì gōngsī jìnxíng chéngkěn de hézuò.
  • English: We hope to have a sincere cooperation with your esteemed company.
  • Analysis: In a business context, this phrase signals a desire for a partnership built on trust, transparency, and good faith, not just profit.
• Example 6:
  • 他是一个非常诚恳的人，从不说谎。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yīgè fēicháng chéngkěn de rén, cóng bù shuōhuǎng.
  • English: He is a very earnest person who never tells lies.
  • Analysis: When describing a person, 诚恳 implies a combination of sincerity and honesty. It's a strong positive trait.
• Example 7:
  • 我诚恳地请求您的原谅。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ chéngkěn de qǐngqiú nín de yuánliàng.
  • English: I sincerely request your forgiveness.
  • Analysis: This is a very formal and serious way to ask for forgiveness. The word 诚恳 adds a level of gravity and humility to the request.
• Example 8:
  • 对于大家的批评，他都诚恳地接受了。
  • Pinyin: Duìyú dàjiā de pīpíng, tā dōu chéngkěn de jiēshòu le.
  • English: He sincerely accepted everyone's criticism.
  • Analysis: This shows humility and a genuine willingness to improve, rather than being defensive. His acceptance was not superficial.
• Example 9:
  • 在信中，他表达了自己诚恳的谢意。
  • Pinyin: Zài xìn zhōng, tā biǎodále zìjǐ chéngkěn de xièyì.
  • English: In the letter, he expressed his heartfelt gratitude.
  • Analysis: 诚恳 can be used to describe deep emotions like gratitude, indicating they are profound and genuine.
• Example 10:
  • 想要解决这个问题，双方都需要有诚恳的沟通。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎng yào jiějué zhège wèntí, shuāngfāng dōu xūyào yǒu chéngkěn de gōutōng.
  • English: To solve this problem, both sides need to have sincere communication.
  • Analysis: This implies communication that is open, honest, and serious, with a genuine intent to find a solution.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 诚恳 (chéngkěn) and 真诚 (zhēnchéng).

• 诚恳 (chéngkěn): Emphasizes a serious, earnest attitude or manner in a specific situation. It's about how you present your sincerity. It often applies to actions like apologizing, advising, or requesting.
• 真诚 (zhēnchéng): Emphasizes the authenticity or genuineness of a person's feelings or character. It's about being true and not fake. A person can be 真诚 in general, while their attitude in a specific apology is 诚恳.

Common Mistake: Using 诚恳 for trivial or casual matters. It would sound very strange.

• Incorrect: 他诚恳地喜欢吃冰淇淋。(Tā chéngkěn de xǐhuān chī bīngqílín.)
• Why it's wrong: Liking ice cream is a simple preference, not a serious matter requiring an “earnest” attitude. 诚恳 is too heavy and formal here.
• Correct: 他真心喜欢吃冰淇淋。(Tā zhēnxīn xǐhuān chī bīngqílín.) - “He genuinely/truly likes to eat ice cream.”

• 真诚 (zhēnchéng) - A close synonym meaning “sincere” or “genuine,” but focuses more on the authenticity of a feeling or person rather than the earnestness of an attitude.
• 诚实 (chéngshí) - Honest. This is about telling the truth and not deceiving others. Someone 诚恳 is usually also 诚实.
• 态度 (tàidù) - Attitude. A person's attitude is often described as being 诚恳.
• 道歉 (dàoqiàn) - To apologize. A common action that should be done in a 诚恳 manner.
• 恳切 (kěnqiè) - Earnest, sincere. Very similar to 诚恳, sometimes used interchangeably, but can carry an even stronger sense of pleading or urgency.
• 坦率 (tǎnshuài) - Frank, candid. This describes someone who speaks their mind openly and directly, which is a form of honesty but different from the deep earnestness of 诚恳.
• 虚伪 (xūwěi) - Antonym: Hypocritical, phony, insincere. The direct opposite of being 诚恳 or 真诚.