Meaning
决心
jué xīn
Determination
- 决
- to decide, resolute
- 心
- heart, mind
A made-up mind: the everyday word for determination.
Determination in Chinese
The Chinese word for determination is 决心 (jué xīn). A made-up mind: the everyday word for determination. In traditional characters it is written 決心.
决心
jué xīn
Determination
What 决心 means.
决 means to decide once and for all and 心 is the heart, so 决心 is a heart that has decided. 意志 is willpower, the will that carries the decision through.
- 决
- to decide, resolute
- 心
- heart, mind
Simplified and traditional
决心
決心
Both are correct and mean the same. Traditional 決心 keeps the older, fuller shape that calligraphy grew up with; simplified 决心 is what most Chinese readers use today. Our seal and clerical styles write it in the traditional form.
Pick the shade of meaning.
Chinese often has more than one word where English has one. Here is how they differ.
Meaning
意志
yì zhì
Willpower
- 意
- intention, meaning
- 志
- will, aspiration
Willpower, strength of will.
About determination in Chinese
How do you write determination in Chinese?
Determination is 决心 in Chinese, pronounced jué xīn. Determination 决 means “to decide, resolute”, 心 means “heart, mind”.
How do you pronounce 决心?
Say jué (second tone, rising), xīn (first tone, high and level). Mandarin tones change meaning, so it is worth listening to a native speaker once.
Is 决心 different in traditional Chinese?
Yes. The traditional form is 決心, used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and classical calligraphy; 决心 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore. Both are correct.
What other Chinese words mean determination?
意志 (yì zhì): Willpower Willpower, strength of will.
Is 决心 a good Chinese tattoo?
Yes, it is a real, everyday Chinese word rather than a machine translation, so Chinese readers will understand it. Keep the characters in their order, top to bottom or left to right, and never mirrored. Choose a readable style such as Kaishu, bring a clean reference to your artist, and show it to a fluent reader before your appointment.