noun / adjective HSK 5
zhōng xīn
loyalty · devotion · faithful

Meaning

忠心 refers to unwavering loyalty and devotion, typically toward a person, cause, or country. It implies a deep, sincere commitment that goes beyond mere obedience, carrying moral and emotional weight. The term is commonly used in both historical and modern contexts to describe faithful service.

Usage

忠心 is often used in formal or literary contexts, and frequently appears in discussions of loyalty to leaders, country, or principles. It can function as a noun ("loyalty") or as an adjective before another noun ("loyal"). Common patterns include 忠心耿耿 (extremely loyal) and 对...忠心 (loyal to...).

Examples

  1. 01
    这只狗对主人忠心耿耿。
    Zhè zhī gǒu duì zhǔrén zhōng xīn gěng gěng.
    This dog is utterly loyal to its owner.
  2. 02
    他对公司的忠心值得敬佩。
    duì gōngsī de zhōng xīn zhídé jìngpèi.
    His loyalty to the company is admirable.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 忠心耿耿
    zhōng xīn gěng gěng
    utterly loyal
  • 对...忠心
    duì ... zhōng xīn
    loyal to...
  • 一片忠心
    piàn zhōng xīn
    wholehearted loyalty
  • 忠心不二
    zhōng xīn èr
    unswerving loyalty

Antonyms

Origin

The word combines 忠 (loyalty) with 心 (heart), literally meaning "loyal heart." The character 忠 itself is composed of 中 (middle/center) over 心 (heart), suggesting keeping one's heart centered on duty.

Related