# 一心一意

yī xīn yī yì

With undivided attention or commitment

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** One heart and one intention

**Register:** General · spoken & written

[Effort & growth](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/effort)

## When to use it

Describe focused attention or wholehearted dedication.

Focus can include sensible breaks and attention to other responsibilities.

## The image & its use

Trying to do several things at once can divide attention. This expression describes the opposite: the person's thought and intention are directed toward one activity or purpose. It can praise careful study, steady work, or a sincere commitment. The phrase does not require someone to ignore every other need indefinitely. A useful period of concentration has a clear object and a reasonable boundary. Explaining what the person is concentrating on makes the praise more concrete and avoids a vague demand for unlimited effort.

## Examples

她一心一意地练习这首曲子。

### Traditional Chinese

她一心一意地練習這首曲子。

tā yī xīn yī yì dì liàn xí zhè shǒu qǔ zi 。

She practiced the piece with undivided attention.

他一心一意想把说明写清楚。

### Traditional Chinese

他一心一意想把說明寫清楚。

tā yī xīn yī yì xiǎng bǎ shuō míng xiě qīng chǔ 。

He was wholly committed to making the instructions clear.

阅读时，先放下手机，一心一意地看一会儿。

### Traditional Chinese

閱讀時，先放下手機，一心一意地看一會兒。

yuè dú shí ， xiān fàng xià shǒu jī ， yī xīn yī yì dì kàn yí huì er 。

Set the phone aside and give reading your full attention for a while.

大家一心一意地完成这次展览的准备。

### Traditional Chinese

大家一心一意地完成這次展覽的準備。

dà jiā yī xīn yī yì dì wán chéng zhè cì zhǎn lǎn de zhǔn bèi 。

Everyone was wholeheartedly focused on preparing the exhibition.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1323&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E4%B8%80%E5%BF%83%E4%B8%80%E6%84%8F)

## Keep exploring

- [一语道破 yī yǔ dào pò Reveal the essential point in one concise remark ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-yu-dao-po)

- [一朝一夕 yī zhāo yī xī A very short period of time ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/yi-zhao-yi-xi)

- [应对如流 yìng duì rú liú Answer readily and fluently ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ying-dui-ru-liu)

- [应接不暇 yìng jiē bù xiá Have more to attend to than one can manage ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/ying-jie-bu-xia)

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