信念

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xìnniàn: 信念 - Belief, Conviction, Faith

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: xinnian, 信念, Chinese word for belief, Chinese conviction, what does xinnian mean, faith in Chinese, firm belief, personal conviction, Chinese philosophy, inner strength.
  • Summary: Discover the meaning of 信念 (xìnniàn), a powerful Chinese term for a deep-seated belief, conviction, or personal faith. More than a simple opinion, a 信念 is a core principle that drives your actions, helps you persevere through hardship, and defines your character. This page breaks down its cultural significance, practical usage, and how it differs from religious faith, providing a key insight into Chinese concepts of determination and inner strength.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): xìnniàn
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: A firm, deeply held belief, conviction, or faith, typically in a principle or goal.
  • In a Nutshell: Think of 信念 (xìnniàn) not as a casual “I believe…” but as the unwavering conviction that forms your backbone. It's the “why” that fuels your determination when you face a huge challenge. While it can be translated as “faith,” it's usually secular, focusing on faith in oneself, in a cause, in progress, or in a guiding principle, rather than a deity. It's a concept tied to strength, resilience, and purpose.

Character Breakdown

  • 信 (xìn): This character is about trust and belief. It's composed of 人 (rén - person) and 言 (yán - speech). The combination suggests that a person's word should be trustworthy and believable. It carries the meaning of faith, trust, and confidence.
  • 念 (niàn): This character means “to think of,” “to miss,” or a “thought/idea.” It's made of 今 (jīn - now, the present) over 心 (xīn - heart/mind). This beautifully illustrates a thought that is present in your heart and mind right now.
  • How they combine: Together, 信念 (xìnniàn) literally means a “trust-thought” or a “faith-idea.” It's not just any passing thought; it's an idea that you hold in your heart and trust completely. This combination elevates the word from a simple “idea” to a profound “conviction.”

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In Chinese culture, 信念 (xìnniàn) is a highly valued personal attribute, often seen as the engine of success and perseverance. It's deeply connected to the cultural virtue of 坚持 (jiānchí - persistence) and the ability to 吃苦 (chīkǔ - endure hardship). The implicit understanding is that a person with a strong 信念 can overcome any obstacle.
  • Comparison to Western “Faith”: This is a critical distinction. In the West, “faith” often carries a strong religious connotation (e.g., faith in God). While 信念 (xìnniàn) can be used in a religious context, it is predominantly secular. It's the entrepreneur's unshakable belief in their vision, the scientist's conviction in their hypothesis, or an activist's faith in their cause. It is more about human will and determination than divine grace. A more closely related concept might be a personal “creed” or “ethos.”
  • For example, a Chinese parent might encourage their child to have a strong 信念 in their ability to get into a good university. This isn't about praying for it; it's about fostering an unbreakable self-belief that will fuel the hard work required to achieve that goal.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Formal & Inspirational Contexts: You will frequently hear 信念 (xìnniàn) in speeches, company meetings, news articles, and motivational content. Leaders use it to inspire teams, and media uses it to describe the “unwavering conviction” of successful people or national heroes.
    • Common Collocation: 坚定的信念 (jiāndìng de xìnniàn) - a firm/unshakable conviction.
  • Personal & Philosophical Contexts: In conversation, people use 信念 (xìnniàn) to talk about their core principles, life goals, or what keeps them going in a difficult job or situation. It's a word with weight and is used to describe something deeply important to the speaker.
  • Connotation: 信念 (xìnniàn) is almost exclusively positive. It implies strength of character, integrity, and a sense of purpose. To say someone has no 信念 (méiyǒu xìnniàn) is a strong criticism, suggesting they are aimless, weak-willed, or lack principles.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 只要有信念，就一定能成功。
    • Pinyin: Zhǐyào yǒu xìnniàn, jiù yīdìng néng chénggōng.
    • English: As long as you have conviction, you will definitely succeed.
    • Analysis: This is a classic inspirational sentence. It shows 信念 as the direct prerequisite for success, a very common cultural idea.
  • Example 2:
    • 他对自己的项目有坚定的信念。
    • Pinyin: Tā duì zìjǐ de xiàngmù yǒu jiāndìng de xìnniàn.
    • English: He has a firm conviction in his own project.
    • Analysis: Note the structure “对…有信念” (duì…yǒu xìnniàn), meaning “to have conviction in…”. The adjective 坚定的 (jiāndìng - firm) is a very common and natural partner for 信念.
  • Example 3:
    • 在最困难的时候，是信念支撑着他。
    • Pinyin: Zài zuì kùnnán de shíhòu, shì xìnniàn zhīchēng zhe tā.
    • English: In the most difficult times, it was his conviction that supported him.
    • Analysis: This sentence highlights the role of 信念 in providing resilience and support (支撑 - zhīchēng) during adversity.
  • Example 4:
    • 他的信念是“诚实是最好的策略”。
    • Pinyin: Tā de xìnniàn shì “chéngshí shì zuì hǎo de cèlüè”.
    • English: His belief is that “honesty is the best policy.”
    • Analysis: Here, 信念 is used to describe a core personal principle or motto that guides someone's behavior.
  • Example 5:
    • 失去了信念的人就像失去了方向的船。
    • Pinyin: Shīqù le xìnniàn de rén jiù xiàng shīqù le fāngxiàng de chuán.
    • English: A person who has lost their conviction is like a ship that has lost its direction.
    • Analysis: This powerful metaphor emphasizes the guiding function of 信念. Losing it means becoming aimless.
  • Example 6:
    • 成为一名医生是她从小的信念。
    • Pinyin: Chéngwéi yī míng yīshēng shì tā cóngxiǎo de xìnniàn.
    • English: Becoming a doctor has been her conviction since she was a child.
    • Analysis: This shows how 信念 can be a long-held, driving ambition or life goal.
  • Example 7:
    • 他们的信念让他们永不放弃。
    • Pinyin: Tāmen de xìnniàn ràng tāmen yǒng bù fàngqì.
    • English: Their conviction makes them never give up.
    • Analysis: This directly links 信念 to the act of perseverance (永不放弃 - yǒng bù fàngqì).
  • Example 8:
    • 你的人生信念是什么？
    • Pinyin: Nǐ de rénshēng xìnniàn shì shénme?
    • English: What is your life's conviction/creed?
    • Analysis: This is a deep, philosophical question. It's not asking for a simple opinion, but for the core belief that guides your life.
  • Example 9:
    • 我们团队共同的信念是“客户第一”。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen tuánduì gòngtóng de xìnniàn shì “kèhù dì yī”.
    • English: Our team's shared conviction is “the customer comes first.”
    • Analysis: This shows 信念 being used in a business or group context to describe a shared core value or mission.
  • Example 10:
    • 改变一个人的信念是非常困难的。
    • Pinyin: Gǎibiàn yīgè rén de xìnniàn shì fēicháng kùnnán de.
    • English: It is very difficult to change a person's conviction.
    • Analysis: This sentence underscores the deep, ingrained, and stable nature of a 信念 compared to a simple opinion.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • 信念 (xìnniàn) vs. 信仰 (xìnyǎng): This is the most important distinction for learners.
    • 信念 (xìnniàn) is a personal, often secular conviction about a principle, goal, or oneself.
    • 信仰 (xìnyǎng) is faith in a formal, organized system, like a religion or a political ideology.
    • Incorrect: 他有基督教的信念。 (Tā yǒu Jīdūjiào de xìnniàn.)
    • Correct: 他有基督教的信仰。 (Tā yǒu Jīdūjiào de xìnyǎng.) - He has the Christian faith.
    • Correct: 他有能成功的信念。 (Tā yǒu néng chénggōng de xìnniàn.) - He has the conviction that he can succeed.
  • 信念 (xìnniàn) vs. 相信 (xiāngxìn): Don't confuse the noun with the verb.
    • 信念 (xìnniàn) is a noun: “a belief/conviction”.
    • 相信 (xiāngxìn) is a verb: “to believe”.
    • Incorrect: 我信念他。 (Wǒ xìnniàn tā.)
    • Correct: 我相信他。 (Wǒ xiāngxìn tā.) - I believe him.
    • Correct: 我对未来有信念。 (Wǒ duì wèilái yǒu xìnniàn.) - I have faith/conviction in the future.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 信仰 (xìnyǎng) - Religious faith or a systematic ideology (e.g., Communism). 信念 is more personal and often secular.
  • 相信 (xiāngxìn) - The verb “to believe” or “to trust.” This is the action, while 信念 is the noun for the deeply held belief itself.
  • 理想 (lǐxiǎng) - An ideal; a perfect standard or ultimate goal. Your 信念 is what gives you the strength to pursue your 理想.
  • 原则 (yuánzé) - Principle. A 信念 is often built upon one's core 原则.
  • 坚持 (jiānchí) - To persevere; to persist. One needs a strong 信念 in order to 坚持 through difficulties.
  • 决心 (juéxīn) - Determination; resolve (a noun). Very similar, but 决心 is the immediate will to act, while 信念 is the deeper, underlying belief that justifies that determination.
  • 意志 (yìzhì) - Willpower; will. The mental faculty that allows one to act on their 信念.
  • 观念 (guānniàn) - A concept, idea, or viewpoint. A 观念 is much more general and less deeply held than a 信念. You can change a 观念 easily, but not a 信念.