小心

xiǎoxīn

adjective HSK 2 #477

Meanings

Literally 'small heart' — being cautious and attentive.

小心！

Xiǎoxīn!

Be careful! / Watch out!

过马路要小心。

Guò mǎlù yào xiǎoxīn.

Be careful when crossing the road.

她做事很小心。

Tā zuòshì hěn xiǎoxīn.

She does things very carefully.

usage

小心 alone as an exclamation is a warning: 'Watch out!' It's one of the first safety phrases you should learn.

culture

You'll see 小心地滑 (caution: slippery floor) signs everywhere in China.

小 xiǎo

心 xīn