以心换心
以心换心 (yǐ xīn huàn xīn) literally means “exchange heart for heart” and expresses “treat others as yourself”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
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Treat others as yourself
Pronunciation: yǐ xīn huàn xīn
Literal meaning: Exchange heart for heart
Origin & Usage
This idiom emerged during the Han Dynasty, expressing the profound concept of exchanging (换) one heart (心) for another (以). It first appeared in diplomatic texts describing the ideal approach to building trust between warring states. The repetition of '心' (heart) emphasizes genuine reciprocity rather than mere transaction. During the Tang Dynasty, Buddhist influences enriched its meaning with concepts of empathy and compassionate understanding. The idiom gained particular significance in medical ethics during the Song Dynasty, where it described the ideal doctor-patient relationship. Modern usage extends to various professional and personal contexts, emphasizing genuine empathy and reciprocal understanding as the foundation of meaningful relationships.
Examples
English: "She always remembers to help those who helped her"
Chinese: 她总是记得回报帮助过她的人
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 以心换心 mean in English?
以心换心 (yǐ xīn huàn xīn) literally translates to “Exchange heart for heart” and is used to express “Treat others as yourself”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 以心换心 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving treat others as yourself.
What is the pinyin for 以心换心?
The pinyin pronunciation for 以心换心 is “yǐ xīn huàn xīn”.