小心 xiǎoxīn take care
take care; be careful
How to remember 小心: 小 small + 心 heart = take care.
Characters
How it is used
- Be careful, watch out - 小心 (xiǎoxīn) careful!; 小心车 (xiǎoxīn chē) watch out for cars; 小心地滑 (xiǎoxīn dì huá) caution, slippery floor.
- Directly precedes the hazard as a warning. Literally 'small heart' = cautious/attentive.
- Contrast 注意 (zhùyì, take note of): 小心 specifically warns against danger or mistakes; 小心 also = careful/prudent as a trait.
Example sentences
- 小心狗！ Xiǎoxīn gǒu!Beware of the dog!
- 走路小心。 Zǒulù xiǎoxīn.Watch your step.
- 要小心开车。 Yào xiǎoxīn kāichē.Drive carefully.