# 推心置腹

tuī xīn zhì fù

Speak with complete sincerity

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Offer one’s heart and place it in another’s keeping

**Register:** Warm · literary

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

## When to use it

Use for open, trusting communication.

It implies deep sincerity; avoid it for a routine exchange.

## Behind the words

The traditional image places the heart in another person’s keeping. It expresses unusually complete trust and openness.

The vivid image suggests opening one's heart to another person. It describes sincere conversation supported by trust, often about feelings, intentions, or concerns that are not usually shared. It is stronger than being polite or talkative. Openness does not require giving up confidentiality or personal boundaries.

## Examples

经过一次推心置腹的谈话，我们终于消除了误会。

### Traditional Chinese

經過一次推心置腹的談話，我們終於消除了誤會。

jīng guò yí cì tuī xīn zhì fù de tán huà ， wǒ men zhōng yú xiāo chú le wù huì 。

After an open and sincere conversation, we finally cleared up the misunderstanding.

两人推心置腹地谈了一晚，终于解开误会。

### Traditional Chinese

兩人推心置腹地談了一晚，終於解開誤會。

liǎng rén tuī xīn zhì fù dì tán le yì wǎn ， zhōng yú jiě kāi wù huì 。

They spoke openly all evening and finally cleared up the misunderstanding.

她愿意和朋友推心置腹，但不会随便透露别人的秘密。

### Traditional Chinese

她願意和朋友推心置腹，但不會隨便透露別人的秘密。

tā yuàn yì hé péng yǒu tuī xīn zhì fù ， dàn bú huì suí biàn tòu lù bié rén de mì mì 。

She speaks candidly with friends but does not casually reveal other people's secrets.

经过长期合作，他们可以推心置腹地交流意见。

### Traditional Chinese

經過長期合作，他們可以推心置腹地交流意見。

jīng guò cháng qī hé zuò ， tā men kě yǐ tuī xīn zhì fù dì jiāo liú yì jiàn 。

Years of cooperation allowed them to exchange opinions with complete trust.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 4, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=82&q=1&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%8E%A8%E5%BF%83%E7%BD%AE%E8%85%B9)

## Keep exploring

- [完璧归赵 wán bì guī zhào Return something intact to its owner ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wan-bi-gui-zhao)

- [忘恩负义 wàng ēn fù yì Betray someone who has helped you ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wang-en-fu-yi)

- [忘年之交 wàng nián zhī jiāo A friendship across a substantial age difference ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wang-nian-zhi-jiao)

- [望眼欲穿 wàng yǎn yù chuān Wait with intense longing ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/wang-yan-yu-chuan)

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