心中有数

心中有數

xīnzhōngyǒushù

idiom #35,776

Meanings

1 to have a clear idea in mind (idiom)
2 to know what's going on
3 to have a good grasp of the situation

Characters

Examples

考试前他做了充分准备，心中有数。

Kǎoshì qián tā zuò le chōngfèn zhǔnbèi, xīnzhōngyǒushù.

He prepared thoroughly before the exam and knew exactly where he stood.

别担心，老板心中有数。

Bié dānxīn, lǎobǎn xīnzhōngyǒushù.

Don't worry — the boss has a clear picture.

对这个项目的风险，我心中有数。

Duì zhège xiàngmù de fēngxiǎn, wǒ xīnzhōngyǒushù.

I have a clear grasp of this project's risks.

Tips

memory

Literally 'in the heart there are numbers' — you've counted up the situation and have the figures mentally. Opposite: 心里没底 (no bottom/baseline in your heart = no idea).

usage

Commonly negated as 心中没数 to mean 'I don't really know / I'm not sure yet.' Both forms are everyday spoken Chinese.

Stroke Order

心 xīn

中 zhōng

有 yǒu

数 shù