# 专心致志

zhuān xīn zhì zhì

Concentrate wholeheartedly

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Focus the heart and direct the will

**Traditional Chinese:** 專心致志

**Register:** Positive · general

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

## When to use it

Describe sustained full attention to a task.

Focus does not require ignoring legitimate interruptions forever.

## Understanding the expression

The expression joins attention with deliberate purpose, making the mind and intention point toward one task. It commonly describes studying, practicing, or carefully completing work. Unlike merely being quiet, it implies active engagement. It often modifies a verb with 地. The praise concerns a period of undivided attention, not an impossible permanent state. Rest and sensible interruptions can support rather than diminish the ability to return to focused work.

## Examples

她专心致志地修复旧画。

### Traditional Chinese

她專心致志地修復舊畫。

tā zhuān xīn zhì zhì dì xiū fù jiù huà 。

She concentrates fully on restoring the painting.

孩子专心致志地拼模型。

### Traditional Chinese

孩子專心致志地拼模型。

hái zi zhuān xīn zhì zhì dì pīn mó xíng 。

The child focuses intently on the model.

他关掉通知，专心致志地写作。

### Traditional Chinese

他關掉通知，專心致志地寫作。

tā guān diào tōng zhī ， zhuān xīn zhì zhì dì xiě zuò 。

He disables notifications and writes with full concentration.

请给我十分钟专心致志地核对。

### Traditional Chinese

請給我十分鐘專心致志地核對。

qǐng gěi wǒ shí fēn zhōng zhuān xīn zhì zhì dì hé duì 。

Please give me ten minutes to check carefully without distraction.

## 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%B0%88%E5%BF%83%E8%87%B4%E5%BF%97)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=526&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [自暴自弃 zì bào zì qì Give up on oneself and stop trying ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zi-bao-zi-qi)

- [自强不息 zì qiáng bù xī Keep improving oneself with sustained effort ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zi-qiang-bu-xi)

- [自食其力 zì shí qí lì Support oneself through one's own work ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zi-shi-qi-li)

- [孜孜不倦 zī zī bù juàn Work or study diligently without tiring ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/zi-zi-bu-juan)

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