心甘情愿
心甘情愿 (xīn gān qíng yuàn) literally means “heart sweet feeling willing” and expresses “willingly; without reluctance”. 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: xin gan qing yuan, xin gan qing yuan,心甘情愿 meaning, 心甘情愿 in english
Willingly; without reluctance
Pronunciation: xīn gān qíng yuàn
Literal meaning: Heart sweet feeling willing
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes a state where the heart (心) finds sweetness (甘) and feelings (情) are willing (愿). It emphasizes genuine, voluntary acceptance without resentment or coercion. The phrase appeared in Tang Dynasty poetry describing devotion freely given. The combination of emotional satisfaction with willingness suggests actions taken not from duty but from genuine desire. Modern usage describes wholehearted willingness, often in contexts of sacrifice or service where the person finds genuine fulfillment.
Examples
English: "She willingly made sacrifices for her family's wellbeing."
Chinese: 她心甘情愿为家人的幸福做出牺牲。
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Be inseparable; hate to part
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Until the end of time; eternal love
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 心甘情愿 mean in English?
心甘情愿 (xīn gān qíng yuàn) literally translates to “Heart sweet feeling willing” and is used to express “Willingly; without reluctance”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 心甘情愿 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving willingly; without reluctance.
What is the pinyin for 心甘情愿?
The pinyin pronunciation for 心甘情愿 is “xīn gān qíng yuàn”.