Together, 潜 (hidden) + 意 (thought) + 识 (consciousness) literally translate to “hidden consciousness,” a remarkably accurate and intuitive rendering of the Western concept of the subconscious.
Unlike ancient Chinese philosophical concepts like `道 (dào)` or `气 (qì)`, `潜意识` is a relatively modern term. It is a loan translation, a concept directly imported from Western psychoanalysis, largely popularized by the work of Sigmund Freud. The adoption and widespread use of `潜意识` show how modern China has integrated global psychological ideas into its language and culture. Before its introduction, discussions of the “mind” in Chinese culture were often holistic, centered on the character 心 (xīn), which represents both “heart” and “mind.” This traditional view didn't sharply divide mental processes into conscious, subconscious, and unconscious layers. Instead, `心 (xīn)` was seen as the seat of both rational thought and deep emotions, intrinsically linked to one's physical well-being and `气 (qì)` (vital energy). The Western concept of `潜意识` provides a more clinical, layered model of the mind. In the West, we might say, “My subconscious is telling me something is wrong.” In modern China, you can now express this exact same idea using `潜意识`, whereas traditionally, one might have spoken of a “heart-mind” (`心`) feeling unsettled. The term's popularity reflects a globalized understanding of human psychology.
`潜意识` is used in a variety of contexts, ranging from academic discussions to everyday conversations.
The term is generally neutral and slightly formal, but it's common enough not to sound strange in a casual chat about one's feelings or motivations.