忍心 rěnxīn to have the heart to do something
to have the heart to do something; to steel oneself to a task
How to remember 忍心: 忍 to endure + 心 heart = to have the heart to do something.
Characters
How it is used
- To have the heart to do something cruel or painful - 我不忍心告诉他真相 (wǒ bù rěnxīn gàosu tā zhēnxiàng) I can't bring myself to tell him the truth.
- Overwhelmingly used in the negative 不忍心 (can't bear to); asks whether you can steel yourself against pity.
- Followed by the harsh action; contrast 狠心 (harden one's heart and do it anyway).