Meaning
耐心
nài xīn
Patience
- 耐
- to endure
- 心
- heart
The everyday word for patience.
Patience in Chinese
The Chinese word for patience is 耐心 (nài xīn). The everyday word for patience.
耐心
nài xīn
Patience
What 耐心 means.
耐 means to endure and 心 is the heart, so 耐心 is a heart that can wait. 忍 is the stronger idea of forbearance, a blade (刃) over the heart (心): enduring hardship rather than everyday patience.
- 耐
- to endure
- 心
- heart
Simplified and traditional
耐心
耐心
耐心 is written the same way in simplified and traditional Chinese, so every Chinese reader recognises it.
Pick the shade of meaning.
Chinese often has more than one word where English has one. Here is how they differ.
Meaning
忍
rěn
Endurance, forbearance
- 忍
- to endure, bear
Endurance rather than calm patience: a heart beneath a blade.
About patience in Chinese
How do you write patience in Chinese?
Patience is 耐心 in Chinese, pronounced nài xīn. Patience 耐 means “to endure”, 心 means “heart”.
How do you pronounce 耐心?
Say nài (fourth tone, falling), xīn (first tone, high and level). Mandarin tones change meaning, so it is worth listening to a native speaker once.
Is 耐心 different in traditional Chinese?
No. 耐心 is written the same way in simplified and traditional Chinese.
What other Chinese words mean patience?
忍 (rěn): Endurance, forbearance Endurance rather than calm patience: a heart beneath a blade.
Is 耐心 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.