sam1 zik1心跡心迹
Jyutpingsam1 zik1
Yalesām jīk
Definition
One's true feelings, intentions, or innermost thoughts.
neutralemotioncommunication
How it's used
Refers specifically to the inner thoughts or intentions that one has kept hidden or private. It carries a slightly literary or dramatic weight, often used when someone finally decides to be honest about their romantic interest or personal stance. It is much less common in casual, everyday small talk compared to simple phrases like 講真心話.
Examples
He finally decided to reveal his true feelings and said he likes you a lot.
Do you need to write a letter to express your true feelings?
Related words
Common phrases
to reveal one's true feelings
to betray one's true intentions
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 心事, which refers to a worry or a secret burden that is weighing on someone's mind. While 心跡 is about revealing one's true intentions or feelings to others, 心事 is often about something that is kept inside and causing distress.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
