Back to all idioms

心安理得

xīn ān lǐ déLife Philosophy

心安理得 (xīn ān lǐ dé) literally meansheart at peace, reason satisfiedand expressesfeel at ease with a clear conscience”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.

Also searched as: xin an li de, xin an li de,心安理得 meaning, 心安理得 in english

Pronunciation: xīn ān lǐ dé Literal meaning: Heart at peace, reason satisfied

Origin & Usage

This idiom describes the heart (心) being at peace (安) because reason (理) is satisfied (得). It describes the inner tranquility that comes from knowing one has acted correctly. The phrase connects moral behavior with psychological well-being. Modern usage describes the peace of mind that follows ethical actions, or sometimes sarcastically, those who feel unjustifiably content with questionable behavior.

When to Use

Situation: After returning the lost wallet, he felt completely at ease.


Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.

Related Chinese Idioms

Similar idioms about life philosophy

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 心安理得 mean in English?

心安理得 (xīn ān lǐ dé) literally translates toHeart at peace, reason satisfiedand is used to expressFeel at ease with a clear conscience”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theLife Philosophy category..

When is 心安理得 used?

Situation: After returning the lost wallet, he felt completely at ease.

What is the pinyin for 心安理得?

The pinyin pronunciation for 心安理得 isxīn ān lǐ dé”.

Curated Lists Featuring 心安理得