心悦诚服 — “To be wholeheartedly convinced and willingly comply”
心悦诚服 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be wholeheartedly convinced and willingly comply”. To be sincerely pleased and utterly convinced. Literally, “Heart pleased, sincerely obey”.
心悦诚服 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 心xīn
- 悦yuè
- 诚chéng
- 服fú
心悦诚服 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 心悦诚服
Origin and Story of 心悦诚服
During the Warring States period, Mencius traveled across various states, advocating his philosophy of 'Ren' (benevolence). Some argued that dominance could be achieved purely through military might, making the discussion of benevolence unnecessary.
Mencius, however, countered: 'Dominance achieved through force relies on a wealthy and powerful state. It compels obedience through pressure, rather than gaining wholehearted conviction and willing compliance (心悦诚服).
But to achieve dominance through benevolence, one can truly win people's wholehearted conviction and willing compliance, which in turn genuinely strengthens the nation.'
Idioms Related to 心悦诚服
Synonyms of 心悦诚服
More idioms starting with 心
- xīn心shàng上xīn心xià下feeling uneasy and agitated
- xīn心bù不liǎng两yòng用Cannot focus on two things at once
- xīn心bù不zài在yān焉absent-minded or not paying attention
- xīn心bù不yīng应kǒu口to say one thing but mean another
- xīn心bù不yóu由zhǔ主lose self-control due to strong emotions
- xīn心bù不yóu由jǐ己against one's will
- xīn心bù不yóu由yì意act against one's true intention
- xīn心bù不fù负rén人，，miàn面wú无cán惭sè色clear conscience, unashamed look
- xīn心zhōng中wú无shù数to be uncertain
- xīn心zhōng中yǒu有shù数know what's what
- xīn心zhōng中méi没dǐ底feel uncertain or lack confidence
- xīn心wèi为xíng形yì役Mind enslaved by worldly concerns
Questions about 心悦诚服
- What does 心悦诚服 mean?
- 心悦诚服 (xīn yuè chéng fú) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be wholeheartedly convinced and willingly comply”.
- How do you pronounce 心悦诚服?
- 心悦诚服 is pronounced xīn yuè chéng fú in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 心悦诚服 literally mean?
- Literally, 心悦诚服 means “Heart pleased, sincerely obey”. It is used to mean “to be wholeheartedly convinced and willingly comply”.
- Where does 心悦诚服 come from?
- 心悦诚服 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to ancient China. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 心悦诚服?
- 悦：愉快，高兴；诚：硬实。由衷地高兴，真心地服气。指真心地服气或服从。