# 心心相印

xīn xīn xiāng yìn

Understand one another deeply

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Hearts leave matching impressions

**Register:** Warm · literary

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

## When to use it

Describe mutual emotional understanding or shared conviction.

Not limited to romance, but it suggests a strong reciprocal bond.

## Understanding the expression

An impression matches another so closely that the two hearts seem to carry the same shape. The expression describes people who understand each other's feelings, values, or intentions without lengthy explanation. It can apply to close friends as well as partners. The relationship is reciprocal: one person's admiration alone is insufficient. It emphasizes inner understanding, whereas constantly spending time together would describe outward closeness without necessarily proving this deeper connection.

## Examples

他们多年相伴，早已心心相印。

### Traditional Chinese

他們多年相伴，早已心心相印。

tā men duō nián xiāng bàn ， zǎo yǐ xīn xīn xiāng yìn 。

After years together, they understand each other deeply.

两位朋友心心相印，一个眼神就懂了。

### Traditional Chinese

兩位朋友心心相印，一個眼神就懂了。

liǎng wèi péng yǒu xīn xīn xiāng yìn ， yí gè yǎn shén jiù dǒng le 。

The friends are so attuned that a glance conveys everything.

虽然住得远，我们仍心心相印。

### Traditional Chinese

雖然住得遠，我們仍心心相印。

suī rán zhù dé yuǎn ， wǒ men réng xīn xīn xiāng yìn 。

Though we live far apart, we remain deeply connected.

她希望伴侣能与自己心心相印，而不只是兴趣相同。

### Traditional Chinese

她希望伴侶能與自己心心相印，而不只是興趣相同。

tā xī wàng bàn lǚ néng yǔ zì jǐ xīn xīn xiāng yìn ， ér bù zhǐ shì xìng qù xiāng tóng 。

She hopes for a partner who understands her deeply, beyond shared interests.

## 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=%E5%BF%83%E5%BF%83%E7%9B%B8%E5%8D%B0)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=419&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [心悦诚服 xīn yuè chéng fú Accept willingly and sincerely ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-yue-cheng-fu)

- [心照不宣 xīn zhào bù xuān Understand each other without saying it ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-zhao-bu-xuan)

- [心直口快 xīn zhí kǒu kuài Speak frankly and readily ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xin-zhi-kou-kuai)

- [兴高采烈 xìng gāo cǎi liè Be cheerful and excited ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/xing-gao-cai-lie)

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