Understanding "心理" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 心理
• Pinyin: xīn lǐ
• Literal Meaning: "Heart" (心) + "Reason/Logic" (理) = "Mind/Heart Logic"
• Primary Meaning: Refers to the mind, psychology, mental state, or inner feelings. It encompasses thoughts, emotions, and psychological processes.

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
• "心理" is a broad term used in both everyday conversation and academic contexts to discuss mental states, emotions, or psychological phenomena.
• It can refer to individual psychology (e.g., someone's feelings) or general psychological principles (e.g., "psychological effects").

• Often appears in phrases like "心理健康" (mental health), "心理压力" (psychological pressure), or "心理准备" (mental preparation).

• Character Breakdown:

• 心 (xīn): Means "heart" but often represents the mind, emotions, or inner self in Chinese.
• 理 (lǐ): Means "reason," "logic," or "principle." Together, "心理" suggests the logic or workings of the mind.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 他的心理素质很好，面对压力时很冷静。
   Pinyin: Tā de xīnlǐ sùzhì hěn hǎo, miàn duì yālì shí hěn lěngjìng.
   English: His psychological resilience is very good; he stays calm under pressure.

2. Chinese: 学习心理学可以帮助我们更好地理解人类行为。
   Pinyin: Xuéxí xīnlǐxué kěyǐ bāngzhù wǒmen gèng hǎo de lǐjiě rénlèi xíngwéi.
   English: Studying psychology can help us better understand human behavior.

3. Chinese: 她需要一些时间来调整自己的心理状态。
   Pinyin: Tā xūyào yīxiē shíjiān lái tiáozhěng zìjǐ de xīnlǐ zhuàngtài.
   English: She needs some time to adjust her mental state.

Cultural Notes

• In Chinese culture, "心理" reflects a blend of emotional and rational aspects of the mind, emphasizing balance (e.g., maintaining "心理健康" or mental well-being).
• Traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy often link mental and physical health, so "心理" is sometimes discussed alongside bodily health (e.g., "身心" – body and mind).

Conclusion

"心理" (xīn lǐ) is a versatile word covering the mind, emotions, and psychology. Remember it as the "logic of the heart" and use it to discuss mental states, feelings, or psychological concepts. Practice with phrases like "心理健康" to sound natural!