Meaning
小心 literally means 'small heart' and conveys the idea of being careful, cautious, or alert. It can be used as a verb meaning 'to be careful' or as an adjective describing someone who is cautious. It's extremely common in both spoken and written Chinese, often used as a warning or reminder to pay attention.
Usage
小心 is frequently used as a standalone warning ('Watch out!' / 'Be careful!') or followed by specific things to be careful about. Native speakers use it constantly in everyday situations—when someone is crossing the street, carrying something fragile, or entering a potentially dangerous situation. It's neutral in register and appropriate in all contexts.
Examples
- 01过马路的时候要小心。.You need to be careful when crossing the street.
- 02小心！地上很滑。! .Watch out! The floor is very slippery.
Characters
Common collocations
- 小心点be a bit more careful
- 要小心must be careful
- 小心驾驶drive carefully
- 请小心please be careful
Antonyms
Origin
The compound combines 小 (small) and 心 (heart), suggesting the idea of keeping one's heart or attention focused and guarded—being mindful and cautious rather than careless.