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March 24, 2026
在意zàiyì(zai4yi4)
在意 (zài yì) means to care about or to mind something. It is commonly used in contexts where someone expresses concern or consideration for another person's feelings or opinions, often implying a level of emotional investment in the situation.
Frequency#3169DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, showing that you '在意' someone can be a significant gesture, reflecting deep interpersonal relationships and the importance of community. People often express this care through actions rather than words, which can be different from more direct expressions in Western cultures.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person sitting on a chair (在) and holding a heart (意) close to them. This visual represents the idea of someone physically 'sitting with their heart,' indicating they care deeply about what happens around them.
Meanings of 在意
zàiyì(zai4yi4)
1to care about
2to mind
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 在意
在意Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3169Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 在意
Podcast: 在意
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AI Study Notes for 在意
Quick Contrast
在乎 (zàihū) — use 在意 when expressing a more personal or emotional concern, while 在乎 can imply a more general or less intense level of care.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person sitting on a chair (在) and holding a heart (意) close to them. This visual represents the idea of someone physically 'sitting with their heart,' indicating they care deeply about what happens around them.
Usage Notes
In informal settings, you might hear phrases like '我在意你' (I care about you), but in more formal contexts, it might be appropriate to use more nuanced expressions. Be careful with the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning significantly.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 在意 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to emotions and interpersonal relationships. Students should focus on the nuances of caring in different contexts and practice using it in both spoken and written forms.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, showing that you '在意' someone can be a significant gesture, reflecting deep interpersonal relationships and the importance of community. People often express this care through actions rather than words, which can be different from more direct expressions in Western cultures.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 在意 with 不在意 (bù zài yì), which means to not care. A common error is saying '我不在意你的感受' when they mean to express caring, when it should be '我在意你的感受.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 在意
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Grammar Patterns of 在意
在意 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 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.
Well, who gives a toss about sophistication anyway?
9
他的话谁也没在意.
tā de huà shuí yě méi zài yì.
His remark passed unnoticed.
10
在意大利的威尼斯城里,住着一位名叫安东尼奥的商人.
zài yì dà lì de wēi ní sī chéng lǐ, , zhù zháo yī wèi míng jiào ān dōng ní ào de shāng.
A merchant named Antonio lived in the city of Venice in Italy.
Cultural Notes for 在意
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, showing that you '在意' someone can be a significant gesture, reflecting deep interpersonal relationships and the importance of community. People often express this care through actions rather than words, which can be different from more direct expressions in Western cultures.
Frequently Asked Questions about 在意
You can use it like this: '我在意你的感受' (I care about your feelings).
Yes, it can be used to express both positive concern and negative annoyance, depending on the context.
While similar, 在意 specifically emphasizes emotional investment, whereas words like 关心 (guān xīn) focus more on concern.