小心
xiǎoxīn/ɕi̯ɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ɕin⁵⁵/
The English phrase "be careful" is translated into Mandarin as 小心 (xiǎoxīn).
小心 is a warning used to tell someone to avoid danger or a mistake. In situations of immediate danger, it is used as an exclamation equivalent to "Watch out!" or "Look out!"
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 小 (small) and 心 (heart), literally meaning to use a "small heart" or to be cautious/attentive.
Which one should you use?
While 小心 is used for avoiding physical danger or mistakes, if your intent is to tell someone to "pay attention" to a specific detail or a sign, you should use 注意 instead. Additionally, adding the particle 点 after 小心 to form 小心点 makes the warning sound more natural and less like a blunt command, often translated as "be a little more careful".
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle 点 after 小心 to create 小心点 makes the phrase sound more natural in speech, functioning as "be a bit more careful".
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is xiǎoxīn.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, 小心 can be used as a subtle warning or a veiled threat, implying that someone should be careful not to cross a certain boundary.
- In Chinese culture, the 'heart' 心 is traditionally seen as the seat of both emotion and intellect, meaning 小心 is not just about feeling but about focused mental awareness.
- In older Chinese texts, the concept of 'small heart' was linked to the idea of being meticulous and avoiding the 'big' mistakes that come from arrogance.
Examples in context
- 小心着凉啊！You'd better be careful not to catch cold.The sentence is useful for using 小心 to suggest someone avoid catching a cold.Tatoeba #826542 by jessie0422, translation #319759 by CK
- 汤姆，小心！Tom, be careful!The sentence is useful for using 小心 as a direct exclamation to a person.Tatoeba #8800830 by crescat, translation #2047588 by CK
- 他會小心的。He'll be careful.The sentence is useful for using 小心 to describe a person's future behavior.Tatoeba #13199797 by LeviHighway, translation #12937501 by Conjuice
- 小心一点，地上很滑。Be careful, the floor is slippery.
- 开车的时候要留神路况。Be careful with the road conditions when driving.
- 当心不要被骗。Be careful not to be deceived.
- 小心点，路上人很多。Be careful, there are a lot of people on the road.
- 注意别摔倒。Be careful not to fall.
- 小心啊，路上很滑。Be careful, the road is slippery.
- 30 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Xiaowen sees Haoran walking towards a wet floor.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen浩然，小心！Hàorán, xiǎoxīn!Haoran, be careful!
- 浩然 Haoran怎么了？Zěnme le?What's wrong?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen地上很湿，要小心。Dìshàng hěn shī, yào xiǎoxīn.The floor is very wet, you need to be careful.
- 浩然 Haoran谢谢你，我会小心的。Xièxiè nǐ, wǒ huì xiǎoxīn de.Thank you, I will be careful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 小心, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
