zhuānxīn: 专心 - To Concentrate, To Focus, Focused

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• Summary: Learn how to say “to concentrate” or “to focus” in Chinese with the word 专心 (zhuānxīn). This comprehensive guide breaks down the meaning of 专心, its cultural importance in study and work, and provides practical examples for everyday use. Understand the difference between 专心 and other similar terms to improve your Mandarin fluency and sound more like a native speaker.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhuānxīn
• Part of Speech: Adjective / Adverbial Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To focus one's mind on something; to be concentrated or absorbed.
• In a Nutshell: 专心 (zhuānxīn) describes the state of being completely absorbed in a task, with your heart and mind dedicated to one single thing. It's the opposite of being distracted. Think of a student cramming for an exam, an artist painting, or a programmer writing code—they are all 专心. It carries a strong positive connotation, praising the virtue of focused, disciplined effort.

• 专 (zhuān): This character originally related to a tool for spinning thread, implying a single, repetitive, and dedicated action. Today, its primary meaning is “specialized,” “focused,” “sole,” or “for a particular purpose.”
• 心 (xīn): This is a pictogram of the human heart. In Chinese culture, the heart (心) is considered the seat of both emotion and thought—the “mind.”

When combined, 专心 (zhuānxīn) literally means “single/specialized mind/heart.” It paints a vivid picture of dedicating your entire mental and emotional energy to one thing, shutting out all other distractions.

In Chinese culture, 专心 is more than just a state of concentration; it's a highly valued virtue. Rooted in Confucian principles that emphasize diligence (勤奋 qínfèn), self-improvement, and respect for learning, the ability to be 专心 is seen as a cornerstone of success and good character. A useful comparison is the Western concept of being “in the zone” or achieving a “flow state.” However, there's a key difference. “Flow” is often described as an effortless, almost subconscious state of peak performance. 专心, on the other hand, often implies conscious, disciplined effort. A teacher telling a student to be 专心 isn't just suggesting they get “in the zone”—it's an instruction to apply discipline and will to the task at hand. This value system often looks down on “multitasking,” especially in academic or professional settings. Being 专心 shows respect for the task, your teacher, or your work. It's not just about efficiency; it's about the proper attitude.

专心 is a common and versatile word used in many everyday contexts.

This is perhaps the most common context. Teachers and parents constantly use it.

• “上课要专心听讲！” (Shàngkè yào zhuānxīn tīngjiǎng!) - “You must listen attentively in class!”
• “别分心了，专心写作业。” (Bié fēnxīn le, zhuānxīn xiě zuòyè.) - “Stop getting distracted, focus on your homework.”

It's used to describe a good work ethic.

• “他工作的时候非常专心。” (Tā gōngzuò de shíhou fēicháng zhuānxīn.) - “He's extremely focused when he works.”

It can describe dedication and faithfulness to a partner, implying one's “heart” is focused on only one person.

• “他对他女朋友很专心。” (Tā duì tā nǚpéngyou hěn zhuānxīn.) - “He is very dedicated/faithful to his girlfriend.”

It functions as a piece of general wisdom for achieving goals.

• “开车的时候一定要专心。” (Kāichē de shíhou yídìng yào zhuānxīn.) - “You must concentrate when driving.”

• Example 1:
  • 老师说：“上课的时候，请大家专心听讲。”
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī shuō: “Shàngkè de shíhou, qǐng dàjiā zhuānxīn tīngjiǎng.”
  • English: The teacher said: “When class is in session, everyone please concentrate on the lecture.”
  • Analysis: This is a classic classroom instruction. 专心 is used as a verb here, “to concentrate.”
• Example 2:
  • 你写作业要专心，不要一边看电视一边写。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xiě zuòyè yào zhuānxīn, búyào yìbiān kàn diànshì yìbiān xiě.
  • English: You need to focus when you do your homework; don't do it while watching TV.
  • Analysis: A common sentence from a parent to a child. It highlights the opposition between 专心 and being distracted.
• Example 3:
  • 他工作很专心，几乎注意不到周围发生了什么。
  • Pinyin: Tā gōngzuò hěn zhuānxīn, jīhū zhùyì bú dào zhōuwéi fāshēng le shénme.
  • English: He is so focused on his work that he barely notices what's happening around him.
  • Analysis: Here, 专心 is used as a predicate adjective, describing the person's state.
• Example 4:
  • 为了准备考试，他一整个下午都在专心地复习。
  • Pinyin: Wèile zhǔnbèi kǎoshì, tā yī zhěnggè xiàwǔ dōu zài zhuānxīn de fùxí.
  • English: In order to prepare for the exam, he spent the whole afternoon studying with concentration.
  • Analysis: The particle 地 (de) transforms the adjective 专心 into an adverb, describing how he was studying.
• Example 5:
  • 开车必须专心，否则很容易出事故。
  • Pinyin: Kāichē bìxū zhuānxīn, fǒuzé hěn róngyì chū shìgù.
  • English: You must concentrate when driving, otherwise it's easy to have an accident.
  • Analysis: This shows 专心 used as a non-negotiable requirement for safety.
• Example 6:
  • 这个小男孩玩乐高的时候特别专心。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiǎo nánhái wán Lè Gāo de shíhou tèbié zhuānxīn.
  • English: This little boy is especially focused when he plays with Legos.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates that 专心 can be used to describe intense focus during play, not just work or study.
• Example 7:
  • 你那么专心，是在想什么重要的事吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ nàme zhuānxīn, shì zài xiǎng shénme zhòngyào de shì ma?
  • English: You're so focused, are you thinking about something important?
  • Analysis: A natural way to ask someone what they are so absorbed in.
• Example 8:
  • 他对待感情很专心，从不三心二意。
  • Pinyin: Tā duìdài gǎnqíng hěn zhuānxīn, cóngbù sānxīnyīyì.
  • English: He is very devoted in relationships and is never fickle.
  • Analysis: This example connects 专心 with loyalty and contrasts it with the idiom 三心二意 (sānxīnyīyì - “three hearts, two minds,” meaning fickle or indecisive).
• Example 9:
  • 如果你不专心，就学不好任何东西。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ bù zhuānxīn, jiù xué bù hǎo rènhé dōngxi.
  • English: If you don't focus, you won't be able to learn anything well.
  • Analysis: A conditional sentence showing the negative consequence of not being 专心.
• Example 10:
  • 无论做什么事，都应该专心致志。
  • Pinyin: Wúlùn zuò shénme shì, dōu yīnggāi zhuānxīnzhìzhì.
  • English: No matter what you do, you should do it with single-minded focus.
  • Analysis: This uses the four-character idiom (chengyu) 专心致志 (zhuānxīnzhìzhì), which is a more formal and emphatic version of 专心.

• 专心 (zhuānxīn) vs. 集中 (jízōng): This is a key point of confusion.
  • 专心 emphasizes the internal state of mind—the “heart” is focused. It can stand alone as an adjective (“他很专心”).
  • 集中 (jízōng) means “to gather” or “to centralize.” It's often used more technically and requires an object, like “attention” (注意力 zhùyìlì) or “energy” (精力 jīnglì).
  • Correct: 他很专心。 (Tā hěn zhuānxīn.) - He is very focused.
  • Correct: 他集中注意力。 (Tā jízōng zhùyìlì.) - He concentrates his attention.
  • Incorrect: 他很集中。 (Tā hěn jízōng.) - This is grammatically awkward.
• “Dedicated” as a False Friend: While 专心 can mean “dedicated” or “devoted” in a relationship, it does not mean “dedicated” in the sense of long-term professional commitment. For that, you would use words like 敬业 (jìngyè - professionally dedicated) or 忠诚 (zhōngchéng - loyal). 专心 is about the focus in the moment or in a specific domain.
• Usage with Inanimate Objects: 专心 describes a mental state, so it can only be used for people or sentient beings.
  • Incorrect: 这个相机很专心。 (This camera is very focused.)
  • Correct: 我用相机拍照的时候很专心。 (I am very focused when I use the camera to take pictures.)

• 分心 (fēnxīn) - (Antonym) To be distracted; to divide one's mind. The direct opposite of 专心.
• 心不在焉 (xīnbùzàiyān) - (Antonym) An idiom for being absent-minded or distracted; “the heart is not here.”
• 注意 (zhùyì) - To pay attention. This is the act of directing your attention. 专心 is the state of maintaining that attention.
• 认真 (rènzhēn) - To be serious or conscientious. This describes a serious attitude toward a task. Being 专心 is a key part of being 认真.
• 用心 (yòngxīn) - To put one's heart into something; to be attentive and diligent. Very similar to 专心, but can carry a stronger sense of care and thoroughness.
• 集中 (jízōng) - To concentrate; to centralize. A more formal or technical term, often paired with an object like 注意力 (zhùyìlì - attention).
• 勤奋 (qínfèn) - Diligent; hardworking. A personal quality that enables someone to be 专心 for long periods.
• 一心一意 (yīxīnyīyì) - An idiom meaning “wholeheartedly” or “of one heart and one mind.” A more literary and intense version of 专心.