# 赤子之心

chì zǐ zhī xīn

Sincere, innocent goodwill

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** The heart of a newborn child

**Register:** Appreciative · expressive

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Praise unspoiled sincerity or pure devotion.

Innocence does not mean lack of intelligence.

## Understanding the expression

A newborn’s heart represents sincerity before calculation and self interest cloud it. The expression praises openness, goodwill, and a commitment that remains emotionally pure. It can describe devotion to a community, an ideal, or people close to someone. The person need not be inexperienced or naive. An experienced adult can retain this sincerity while understanding risks and complexity; the essential quality is an uncorrupted intention rather than ignorance.

## Examples

他始终保持赤子之心。

### Traditional Chinese

他始終保持赤子之心。

tā shǐ zhōng bǎo chí chì zǐ zhī xīn 。

He has always retained a sincere and unspoiled heart.

她以赤子之心关爱学生。

### Traditional Chinese

她以赤子之心關愛學生。

tā yǐ chì zǐ zhī xīn guān ài xué shēng 。

She cares for her students with pure sincerity.

这封信流露出他的赤子之心。

### Traditional Chinese

這封信流露出他的赤子之心。

zhè fēng xìn liú lù chū tā de chì zǐ zhī xīn 。

The letter reveals his innocent sincerity.

历经挫折，她仍有赤子之心。

### Traditional Chinese

歷經挫折，她仍有赤子之心。

lì jīng cuò zhé ， tā réng yǒu chì zǐ zhī xīn 。

Despite many setbacks, she remains sincere and unspoiled.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E8%B5%A4%E5%AD%90%E4%B9%8B%E5%BF%83)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=788&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [充耳不闻 chōng ěr bù wén Refuse to listen ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chong-er-bu-wen)

- [出尔反尔 chū ěr fǎn ěr Go back on one's word ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chu-er-fan-er)

- [出言不逊 chū yán bù xùn Speak rudely or disrespectfully ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chu-yan-bu-xun)

- [吹毛求疵 chuī máo qiú cī Find fault over tiny defects ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chui-mao-qiu-ci)

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