心血

xīnxuè

noun HSK 7 #9,543

Meanings

1 painstaking effort; heart and soul
2 blood and sweat (figurative — dedicated labor)

Characters

Literally 'heart's blood' — the most precious thing you can pour into something. Implies deep personal investment and sacrifice.

Examples

这部小说是他十年的心血。

Zhè bù xiǎoshuō shì tā shí nián de xīnxuè.

This novel represents ten years of his painstaking effort.

父母为孩子付出了大量心血。

Fùmǔ wèi háizi fùchū le dàliàng xīnxuè.

Parents pour enormous effort into their children.

Tips

usage

心血来潮 (xīnxuè láicháo) is a common idiom meaning 'on a sudden impulse/whim' — literally 'heart blood surges like the tide.' It's unrelated to hard work; it describes doing something spontaneously without planning.

Stroke Order

心 xīn

血 xuè