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-====== xiāngxìn: 相信 - To Believe, To Trust ======
-===== Quick Summary =====
-  * **Keywords:** 相信, xiangxin, Chinese for believe, Chinese for trust, believe in Chinese, trust in Chinese, Mandarin word for faith, 信任, 信仰, HSK 3 vocabulary, how to say I believe you in Chinese.
-  * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese verb **相信 (xiāngxìn)**, which means "to believe" or "to trust." This comprehensive guide covers its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in modern China. Discover how **相信** is used to express belief in facts, trust in people, and even personal faith, with 10 practical example sentences, audio, and analysis for beginners. Understand the key differences between **相信 (xiāngxìn)**, **信任 (xìnrèn)**, and **信仰 (xìnyǎng)** to use them like a native speaker.
-===== Core Meaning =====
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** xiāngxìn
-  * **Part of Speech:** Verb
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 3
-  * **Concise Definition:** To believe in, to be convinced of; to trust.
-  * **In a Nutshell:** **相信 (xiāngxìn)** is the go-to word in Mandarin for expressing belief or trust. It's a versatile verb that covers everything from believing a statement is true ("I believe what you said") to having trust in a person ("I believe in you") and expressing a personal conviction ("I believe tomorrow will be better"). It blends the concepts of intellectual assent and relational trust.
-===== Character Breakdown =====
-  * **相 (xiāng):** This character means "mutual," "reciprocal," or "each other." It often acts as a prefix to indicate an action done between two parties. Think of it as the "inter-" in "interact."
-  * **信 (xìn):** This character is a powerful one in Chinese culture. It's a combination of the radical for "person" (人) and "speech" (言). Together, they form the idea of a person standing by their word—meaning "trust," "faith," "truthfulness," or "a letter."
-When combined, **相 (xiāng)** and **信 (xìn)** literally create the idea of "mutual trust." While it can mean this, its modern usage has broadened to simply mean "to believe" or "to trust," even when the action isn't strictly mutual.
-===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
-The character **信 (xìn)** is one of the five core virtues of Confucianism (五常, wǔcháng), representing integrity, trustworthiness, and faithfulness. In Chinese society, being a person of your word is fundamental to building relationships, whether in business or personal life. A person without 信 (xìn) is seen as unreliable and will struggle to gain respect.
-While **相信 (xiāngxìn)** is the everyday verb form, it carries this cultural weight. It's not just a casual word. When you say "我**相信**你" (Wǒ xiāngxìn nǐ - I believe/trust you), you are making a significant statement about your faith in that person's words or character.
-Compared to the English word "believe," **相信 (xiāngxìn)** is very similar in most daily contexts. However, the Western concept of "faith," especially in a religious sense, is often better captured by the more profound term [[信仰]] (xìnyǎng). You can **相信** God exists (相信有上帝), but your "faith" or belief system is your [[信仰]]. **相信** is the action; [[信仰]] is the state of being or the system itself.
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
-**相信 (xiāngxìn)** is an extremely common word used in all registers of speech.
-  *   **In Conversation:** It's used to agree with someone, express trust, or state an opinion. For example, "我相信你" (I believe you) or "我相信这是个好主意" (I believe this is a good idea).
-  *   **Encouragement:** A very common and powerful use is in encouragement. Telling someone "**相信**自己!" (xiāngxìn zìjǐ!) means "Believe in yourself!" It’s a frequent phrase used by parents, teachers, and friends.
-  *   **Expressing Skepticism:** The negative form, **不相信 (bù xiāngxìn)**, is used to express disbelief or doubt. "我不相信!" (I don't believe it!).
-  *   **Formal/Business Context:** In business, it can convey confidence in a plan or trust in a partner. "我们相信，这次合作一定会成功。" (We believe this cooperation will certainly be successful.)
-===== Example Sentences =====
-  * **Example 1:**
-  * 我**相信**你。
-  * Pinyin: Wǒ **xiāngxìn** nǐ.
-  * English: I believe you / I trust you.
-  * Analysis: This is the most direct and common way to express trust in a person. It can refer to believing what they're saying is true or having faith in them as a person.
-  * **Example 2:**
-  * 你要**相信**自己的能力。
-  * Pinyin: Nǐ yào **xiāngxìn** zìjǐ de nénglì.
-  * English: You have to believe in your own abilities.
-  * Analysis: A classic sentence of encouragement. **相信自己 (xiāngxìn zìjǐ)**, "believe in yourself," is a very common and powerful phrase.
-  * **Example 3:**
-  * 我不**相信**他说的每一句话。
-  * Pinyin: Wǒ bù **xiāngxìn** tā shuō de měi yí jù huà.
-  * English: I don't believe every word he says.
-  * Analysis: This demonstrates the use of the negative form **不相信 (bù xiāngxìn)** to express doubt or disbelief about a statement.
-  * **Example 4:**
-  * 我**相信**明天天气会很好。
-  * Pinyin: Wǒ **xiāngxìn** míngtiān tiānqì huì hěn hǎo.
-  * English: I believe the weather will be great tomorrow.
-  * Analysis: Here, **相信** is used to express an opinion or a prediction, similar to "I think" or "I bet" in English, but with a stronger sense of conviction.
-  * **Example 5:**
-  * 我简直不敢**相信**我的眼睛！
-  * Pinyin: Wǒ jiǎnzhí bù gǎn **xiāngxìn** wǒ de yǎnjīng!
-  * English: I simply can't believe my eyes!
-  * Analysis: A common exclamation of surprise or shock. The structure **不敢相信 (bù gǎn xiāngxìn)** means "dare not believe."
-  * **Example 6:**
-  * 他是一个值得**相信**的人。
-  * Pinyin: Tā shì yí ge zhídé **xiāngxìn** de rén.
-  * English: He is a person worth believing/trusting.
-  * Analysis: The phrase **值得相信 (zhídé xiāngxìn)** means "worthy of trust." It's a great way to describe someone reliable.
-  * **Example 7:**
-  * 你真的**相信**有外星人吗？
-  * Pinyin: Nǐ zhēn de **xiāngxìn** yǒu wàixīngrén ma?
-  * English: Do you really believe that aliens exist?
-  * Analysis: This shows **相信** being used to ask about belief in a concept or the existence of something.
-  * **Example 8:**
-  * 夫妻之间最重要的就是互相**相信**。
-  * Pinyin: Fūqī zhījiān zuì zhòngyào de jiùshì hùxiāng **xiāngxìn**.
-  * English: The most important thing between a husband and wife is to trust each other.
-  * Analysis: Using **互相 (hùxiāng)**, meaning "mutually," reinforces the original meaning of the character **相 (xiāng)**. This emphasizes reciprocal trust in a relationship.
-  * **Example 9:**
-  * 我们**相信**，通过努力，我们一定能成功。
-  * Pinyin: Wǒmen **xiāngxìn**, tōngguò nǔlì, wǒmen yídìng néng chénggōng.
-  * English: We believe that through hard work, we can definitely succeed.
-  * Analysis: This is a more formal usage, common in speeches, reports, or business meetings, to express strong confidence in a future outcome.
-  * **Example 10:**
-  * 虽然很难，但我**相信**他能做到。
-  * Pinyin: Suīrán hěn nán, dàn wǒ **xiāngxìn** tā néng zuòdào.
-  * English: Although it's very difficult, I believe he can do it.
-  * Analysis: This shows how **相信** is used to express faith in someone's capabilities, even in the face of challenges.
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
-A major point of confusion for learners is the difference between **相信 (xiāngxìn)** and **信任 (xìnrèn)**.
-  *   **相信 (xiāngxìn):** Broader meaning. You can **相信** a fact, a statement, or a person. It's about accepting something as true or having a general faith in someone.
-    *   Example: 我**相信**你说的话。(Wǒ xiāngxìn nǐ shuō de huà.) - I believe what you said. (Believing a statement)
-  *   **[[信任]] (xìnrèn):** Deeper, more profound trust. This refers specifically to having trust and confidence in a person's character, integrity, and reliability. It's earned over time. You don't **信任** a fact; you **信任** a person.
-    *   Example: 他是我最**信任**的朋友。(Tā shì wǒ zuì xìnrèn de péngyou.) - He is the friend I trust the most. (Deep trust in a person's character)
-**Common Mistake:** Using **相信** when you mean "to think" or "to assume incorrectly." For this, you should use **[[以为]] (yǐwéi)**.
-  *   **Incorrect:** 我**相信**今天是星期一，但其实是星期二。(I believed today was Monday, but it's actually Tuesday.)
-  *   **Correct:** 我**以为**今天是星期一，但其实是星期二。(Wǒ yǐwéi jīntiān shì xīngqīyī, dàn qíshí shì xīngqī'èr.) - I (mistakenly) thought today was Monday, but it's actually Tuesday.
-===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
-  *   [[信任]] (xìnrèn) - A deeper, more profound form of trust in a person's character and reliability. More specific than **相信**.
-  *   [[信仰]] (xìnyǎng) - Faith, conviction, or a belief system (often religious). More formal and profound.
-  *   [[怀疑]] (huáiyí) - To doubt, to be skeptical. The direct antonym of **相信**.
-  *   [[自信]] (zìxìn) - Self-confidence. Comes from **相信自己 (xiāngxìn zìjǐ)**, to believe in oneself.
-  *   [[信]] (xìn) - The core concept of "trust," "faithfulness," and "integrity." Also means "letter" (as in mail).
-  *   [[以为]] (yǐwéi) - To assume or to think (often incorrectly).
-  *   [[可靠]] (kěkào) - An adjective meaning reliable or trustworthy. A person who is **可靠** is someone you can **相信**.
-  *   [[信赖]] (xìnlài) - To trust and rely on. Very similar to **信任**, emphasizing reliance.