Meaning
心急 describes a state of being impatient or anxious, where one's heart (心) feels urgent or hurried (急). It conveys the feeling of wanting something to happen quickly or being unable to wait calmly. This term is commonly used to describe people who are in a rush or who worry excessively about time-sensitive matters.
Usage
心急 is typically used to describe someone's emotional state or temperament when they cannot wait patiently. It often appears in cautionary contexts, as in the proverb 心急吃不了热豆腐 (you can't eat hot tofu when you're impatient), meaning haste makes waste. Native speakers use it both to describe temporary states and chronic personality traits.
Examples
- 01别心急，事情总会解决的。, .Don't be anxious, things will work out eventually.
- 02他太心急了，结果把事情搞砸了。, .He was too impatient, and as a result he messed things up.
Characters
Common collocations
- 心急如焚burning with anxiety
- 心急吃不了热豆腐haste makes waste (lit. impatience can't eat hot tofu)
- 别心急don't be impatient
Antonyms
Origin
The compound directly combines 心 (heart/mind) with 急 (urgent/hasty) to literally mean 'urgent heart,' reflecting the traditional Chinese medical and philosophical view that emotions are centered in the heart.