三心二意

sānxīn'èryì

idiom

Meanings

1 three hearts and two minds
2 half-hearted
3 indecisive and unfocused

Characters

intention / mind

Examples

做事别三心二意，专心一件就好。

Zuòshì bié sān xīn èr yì, zhuānxīn yí jiàn jiù hǎo.

Don't be half-hearted — focus on one thing at a time.

他谈恋爱总是三心二意，难怪交不到女朋友。

Tā tán liàn'ài zǒngshì sān xīn èr yì, nánguài jiāo bú dào nǚ péngyou.

He's always half-hearted in relationships — no wonder he can't find a girlfriend.

Tips

usage

Usually negative: criticizes divided attention or commitment. Opposite is 一心一意 ('one heart, one mind').

Stroke Order

三 sān

心 xīn

二 èr

意 yì