推心置腹
推心置腹 (tuī xīn zhì fù) literally means “push heart, place in belly” and expresses “speak from the heart; confide completely”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: tui xin zhi fu, tui xin zhi fu,推心置腹 meaning, 推心置腹 in english
Speak from the heart; confide completely
Pronunciation: tuī xīn zhì fù
Literal meaning: Push heart, place in belly
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes pushing (推) one's heart (心) and placing (置) it in another's belly (腹). It depicts such trust that one metaphorically gives their heart to another for safekeeping. The phrase captures the deepest level of trust and intimacy. Modern usage describes completely open, honest communication where one shares their innermost thoughts and feelings without reservation.
Examples
English: "They had a heart-to-heart talk about their concerns."
Chinese: 他们推心置腹地谈论了彼此的担忧。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 推心置腹 mean in English?
推心置腹 (tuī xīn zhì fù) literally translates to “Push heart, place in belly” and is used to express “Speak from the heart; confide completely”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 推心置腹 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving speak from the heart; confide completely.
What is the pinyin for 推心置腹?
The pinyin pronunciation for 推心置腹 is “tuī xīn zhì fù”.