心
- heart, mind;
- center, core;
It represents the concept of the heart or the mind as the center of emotions and thoughts.
Etymology
It is a pictogram (ideogram) originally modeled after the shape of a human heart. The character evolved over time into its modern form.
Usage in Korean
Because it represents “heart” or “mind,” it frequently appears as a radical in characters related to emotions or feelings. Examples include:
愛 (love)
惡 (evil)
怒 (anger)
恐 (fear)
怨 (resentment)
恨 (regret)
恥 (shame)
感 (feel)
慌 (panic)
憘 (joy)
忍 (endure)
戀 (long for)
Almost all emotion-related characters contain the heart radical (忄).
If you combine two 心 characters, you get 㤈 (meaning “heartache”), and three 心 characters combine to form 惢 (meaning “flower stamens”).
Additional notes
Although it is a simple character, it can actually be tricky to write beautifully by hand.
To write a nice 心 character, it’s recommended to shape the central "indentation" stroke like a reversed check mark tilted sideways, with the longer stroke curved inward toward the lower left. The three dots should be placed evenly along an imaginary horizontal line that crosses the middle of the indentation. One dot is placed to the left of the indentation, one inside the concave space, and the last to the right. Avoid placing the middle dot too high, as it distorts the shape.
When writing, start with the left dot. After some practice, writing it well becomes easier.
Alternative forms
Similar shape characters
Characters with 心
- 忠–loyalty, devotion, faithfullness
- 念–to think, to remember, to reflect
- 忽–suddenly, abruptly, neglect, carelessness
- 忿–anger, indignation, wrath, to become enraged
- 怖–to fear, to be afraid, terror
- 怜–clever, bright, sharp, intelligent
- 怡–joyful, pleased, calm and contented in heart
- 性–nature, character, gender
- 怯–to be afraid, to fear
- 怒–to get angry, to rage, anger, wrath, fury, to scold, to rebuke.
- 思–to think, to reflect, to long fo
- 怠–to be lazy, to neglect
- 急–urgent, hasty, to rush, to press, to be anxious
- 怨–to resent, to bear a grudge
- 恆–constant, regular, perpetual, always, unchanging, lasting
- 恒–constant, unchanging, lasting, to extend, to pervade
- 恢–broad, vast, expansive, open-minded, to recover or restore
- 恤–to pity, to feel compassion, to console, to comfort, to relieve,
- 恨–resentment, deep regret, rancor, to regret, to repent
- 恰–just, exactly, appropriate, suitable
- 恐–fear, dread, to be afraid
- 恕–to forgive
- 恣–to act at will, unrestrained, indulgent, presumptuous
- 恥–shame, disgrace, to feel ashamed
- 恩–grace, favor, benevolence, kindness
- 恭–respectful, reverent, courteous
- 息–to breathe, to rest, to live
- 悅–joy, delight, to be pleased
- 悔–to repent, to regret, to feel remorse
- 悖–to go against, to defy
- 悚–to fear, to be frightened, to feel alarmed
- 悟–to awaken, to realize, to attain insight
- 悧–clever, intelligent, quick-witted
- 悠–distant, far-reaching, leisurely, calm
- 患–worry, anxiety, affliction
- 悤–busy, hurried, rushed
- 悼–to grieve, to mourn
- 悽–sad, sorrowful, grievous, miserable, desolate
- 情–feeling, emotion, sentiment
- 惘–to be dazed, to be absent-minded, to feel lost or blank
- 惜–to value dearly, to begrudge parting with
- 惟–to think, reflect, consider, only, merely, just
- 悲–to be sad, sorrowful, grieved
- 悶–stifled, suffocated, depressed, bored
- 惑–to be deluded, to be confused, to be misled, to tempt, to deceive
- 惠–kindness, benevolence, grace, favor
- 惡–evil, bad, wicked, to hate, to detest
- 惱–to be troubled, to worry
- 惶–to fear, to be anxious, to feel dread or awe
- 惻–sorrowful, grieved
- 愉–pleasant, joyful, cheerful
- 慨–to lament, to be indignant
- 想–to think, to consider, to imagine, to long for
- 惹–to cause, to provoke, to bring about, to attract
- 愁–sorrow, anxiety, melancholy, worry, to grieve
- 意–intention, meaning, thought, idea, will
- 愚–foolish, stupid, ignorant
- 愛–love, affection; to cherish, to value
- 感–to feel, to sense
- 愼–to be cautious, to act with care
- 愾–to be indignant, to be angered, to feel righteous anger
- 慈–affection, kindness, benevolence, maternal love
- 慌–to be flustered, to panic, to be bewildered or in confusion, to be hurried, pressed, in a rush
- 態–form, appearance, manner, condition, state, attitude, demeanor
- 慕–to long for, to yearn for, to admire deeply, to adore
- 慘–tragic, miserable, wretched, cruel, harsh, grievous, disastrous
- 慟–deep grief, to mourn bitterly, to lament
- 慢–arrogant, haughty, disrespectful, slow, sluggish
- 慣–habit, custom, to be accustomed, to get used to, familiarity
- 慧–wisdom, intelligence, sagacity, keen insight
- 慮–to think, to consider, to weigh
- 慰–to comfort, to console, to soothe, to reassure, to calm
- 慶–joyous occasion, celebration, festivity
- 慾–desire, craving, greed, to covet, to long for
- 憂–sorrow, worry, grief, concern
- 憎–to hate, to resent, to loathe
- 憤–to be indignant, resentful, angry
- 憧–to yearn for, to long for
- 憫–to pity, to feel compassion, to sympathize
- 憬–to awaken, to realize, to long for
- 心 (P)
- ⿲ 丿 ⿺ 乚 丶 丶
- ⿲ 丿 ⿺ ㇃ 丶 丶
