踏实 tāshi firmly-based
firmly-based; steady; steadfast; to have peace of mind; free from anxiety; Taiwan pr.
How to remember 踏实: 踏 to tread on + 实 real = firmly-based.
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How it is used
- Two senses: a person being grounded and reliable - 他工作很踏实 (tā gōngzuò hěn tāshi) he works diligently and steadily, not flashy.
- And an inner feeling of being settled and worry-free - 心里踏实 (xīnli tāshi) I feel at ease / reassured.
- The opposite of 踏实 is being flighty (浮躁 fúzào) or anxious; it praises down-to-earth solidity, not excitement.
- Note the neutral tone: 踏 is read tā here, 实 is shi.