心血

xīnxuè

noun HSK 7-9 #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

HSK 3

这部小说是他十年的心血。

Zhèbù xiǎoshuō shì tā shínián de xīnxuè.

This novel represents ten years of his painstaking effort.

HSK 4

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