About
The character 衷 is etymologically derived from the components 衣 (clothing) and 中 (middle or center), originally referring to an inner garment or the lining within clothing, which physically represented a central, concealed layer. This concrete notion of an interior gradually extended to metaphorically signify the innermost part of a person, particularly the heart or mind, thereby shifting its meaning toward abstract concepts of inner sincerity and genuine emotion. Over centuries, its application evolved from describing physical interiority to expressing psychological states, as seen in compounds like 衷心 (wholehearted) and 衷情 (inner feelings), while its structural composition, with 衣 enveloping 中, has consistently mirrored the idea of something contained within.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我衷心感谢你。
他表示衷心感谢。
我由衷地感到欣慰。
他倾诉了内心的衷情。
我始终不忘初衷。
他这样做必有苦衷。
尽管有苦衷，他仍坚持初衷。
我衷心希望你能理解我由衷的道歉和不变的初衷。