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虚心 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
虚心xūxīnmodestHSK 5, n, rank #35827, Hard
虚心xūxīnopen-mindedHSK 5, unknown, rank #35827, Hard
虚心xūxīnhumbleHSK 5, unknown, rank #35827, Hard
xūxīn(xu1xin1) T1
  1. 1modest
  2. 2open-minded
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March 24, 2026
虚心(虛心)xūxīn(xu1xin1)

虚心 (xū xīn) refers to a state of being open-minded and modest, often implying a willingness to learn and accept feedback. It is commonly used to describe individuals who are humble and receptive to others' opinions, especially in educational or professional contexts.

Frequency#35827DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, humility is highly valued, and being 虚心 is seen as a virtue that encourages continuous learning and respect for others' knowledge and experiences.

Memory Tip

Think of 虚 (xū) as a 'void' or 'empty' space where one is ready to fill it with new ideas, and 心 (xīn) as a 'heart' that is open to receiving. Imagine a heart-shaped balloon floating in an empty sky, symbolizing humility and openness.

Meanings of 虚心

xūxīn(xu1xin1)
1modest
2open-minded
Exercise 1 of 2

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Choose the correct answer:

About 虚心

虚心Simplified
虛心Traditional
Strokes
Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#35827Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 虚心

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Podcast: 虚心

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AI Study Notes for 虚心

Quick Contrast

谦虚 (qiānxū) - 虚心 emphasizes an openness to learning and feedback, while 谦虚 focuses more on humility and modesty in self-presentation.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 虚 (xū) as a 'void' or 'empty' space where one is ready to fill it with new ideas, and 心 (xīn) as a 'heart' that is open to receiving. Imagine a heart-shaped balloon floating in an empty sky, symbolizing humility and openness.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 虚心 with 自信 (zì xìn), which means self-confidence; the two concepts are quite different. 虚心 is more often used in formal settings, such as academic discussions or professional environments, to express a desire for improvement.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 虚心 connects to themes of personal growth and learning. Students should focus on using it in context with other words about self-improvement, such as 学习 (xué xí - to learn) and 反馈 (fǎn kuì - feedback).

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, humility is highly valued, and being 虚心 is seen as a virtue that encourages continuous learning and respect for others' knowledge and experiences.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 虚心 with arrogant words like 自负 (zì fù), meaning 'conceited.' For example, saying '他的虚心让人不喜欢' (His humility makes people dislike him) is incorrect; it should reflect positivity, such as '他的虚心使他受欢迎' (His humility makes him popular).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 虚心

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Component Characters

emptiness
HSK 711 strokes
View full entry
xīnheart
HSK 44 strokes
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Write 虚心

Practice writing 虚心 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 虚心

虚心 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 2

Complete the Sentence

这能叫____接受批评 么 ?

Can this be called readiness to accept criticism?

Example Sentences for 虚心 (1)

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1
这能叫虚心接受批评 么 ?

zhè néng jiào xū xīn jiē shòu pī píng?

Can this be called readiness to accept criticism?

Cultural Notes for 虚心

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, humility is highly valued, and being 虚心 is seen as a virtue that encourages continuous learning and respect for others' knowledge and experiences.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, humility is also appreciated, but there's often a stronger emphasis on self-promotion, which contrasts with the Chinese value of being modest.

Frequently Asked Questions about 虚心

No, 虚心 specifically refers to a humble openness to learning rather than excessive modesty that may hinder self-expression.