粗心大意
粗心大意 (cū xīn dà yì) literally means “rough heart and careless mind” and expresses “careless; negligent”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character.
Also searched as: cu xin da yi, cu xin da yi,粗心大意 meaning, 粗心大意 in english
Careless; negligent
Pronunciation: cū xīn dà yì Literal meaning: Rough heart and careless mind
Origin & Usage
This idiom combines 'rough/coarse' (粗) heart (心) with 'big/careless' (大) intention (意) to describe a lack of attention to detail. While both components independently suggest carelessness, together they emphasize habitual inattention rather than momentary lapses. The phrase gained currency in Ming Dynasty moral instruction texts warning against neglecting details. It remains commonly used in educational and professional settings to describe someone who makes avoidable mistakes due to insufficient care and attention.
Examples
English: "His carelessness caused the crucial error in the report."
Chinese: 他的粗心大意导致报告中出现了关键错误。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 粗心大意 mean in English?
粗心大意 (cū xīn dà yì) literally translates to “Rough heart and careless mind” and is used to express “Careless; negligent”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 粗心大意 used?
Situation: His carelessness caused the crucial error in the report.
What is the pinyin for 粗心大意?
The pinyin pronunciation for 粗心大意 is “cū xīn dà yì”.