Understanding "信任" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 信任
• Pinyin: xìn rèn
• Literal Meaning: "Believe" (信) + "Entrust" (任)
• Primary Meaning: Trust; confidence in someone's reliability, honesty, or capability.

2. In-depth Explanation

Context and Usage

"信任" is a noun and verb expressing deep reliance on someone or something. It implies emotional security and faith in another's integrity. It’s used in personal relationships (friends, family), professional settings (employer-employee), and societal contexts (public trust in institutions).

Nuances:
- Stronger than "相信" (believe), which is more general.
- Often mutual (e.g., "彼此信任" – trust each other).

Character Breakdown

• 信 (xìn): "Believe" or "trust." Also means "letter" (as in 信件).
• 任 (rèn): "Entrust" or "appoint." Implies responsibility delegated to someone.
  Together, they emphasize entrusting one's belief to another.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 朋友之间需要信任。
   Pinyin: Péngyou zhījiān xūyào xìnrèn.
   English: Trust is necessary between friends.

2. Chinese: 她赢得了老板的信任。
   Pinyin: Tā yíngdé le lǎobǎn de xìnrèn.
   English: She earned her boss’s trust.

3. Chinese: 不要轻易失去对别人的信任。
   Pinyin: Bùyào qīngyì shīqù duì biérén de xìnrèn.
   English: Don’t lose trust in others easily.

Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, trust is built gradually through actions (e.g., keeping promises, 守信). Confucianism emphasizes xìn (信) as a key virtue. Business relationships often prioritize long-term trust over short-term gains.

Conclusion

"信任" (xìn rèn) encapsulates the idea of entrusting belief—a cornerstone in Chinese personal and professional bonds. Remember: 信 = believe, 任 = entrust; together, they create "trust." Practice using it in contexts of relationships and responsibility!