Synonyms of “Relieved” in Chinese

The Difference Between 安心 ānxīn and 放心 fàngxīn

Both 安心 ānxīn and 放心 fàngxīn indicate a sense of peace or ease, but they have slightly different nuances.

安心 emphasizes a feeling of calmness that results from a sense of safety and security, and it is often used to describe a general sense of well-being. For example, “being with my family makes me feel safe and at ease.”

On the other hand, 放心 usually indicates a “peace of mind” because there is no longer a reason to worry or be anxious. It is often used in the context of a specific situation or person that has been a source of worry or concern. For example, “now that I know the results are negative, I can finally relax and have peace of mind.” We can also use 放心 to describe a state of mind, such as “you can trust this product, it’s reliable and you can rest assured.”

公司gōngsī的de事shì我wǒ會huì處理chǔlǐ， 你nǐ就jiù安心ānxīn休息xiūxí吧ba公司gōngsī的de事shì我wǒ会huì处理chǔlǐ， 你nǐ就jiù安心ānxīn休息xiūxi吧ba
I’ll take care of the company’s business, just take a rest.

小貓xiǎomāo在zài我wǒ腳邊jiǎobiān安心ānxīn地de睡覺shuìjiào小猫xiǎomāo在zài我wǒ脚边jiǎobiān安心ānxīn地de睡觉shuìjiào
The kitten sleeps peacefully at my feet.

他tā不bú放心fàngxīn這個zhège人rén他tā不bú放心fàngxīn这个zhège人rén
He doesn’t trust this person.

你nǐ放心fàngxīn吧ba， 不bú會huì有事yǒushì的de你nǐ放心fàngxīn吧ba， 不bú会huì有事yǒushì的de
Don’t worry, everything will be fine.

The last difference is 安心 ānxīn is a stative verb (adj.). While 放心 fàngxīn is a verb.

他tā做zuò事shì， 我wǒ非常fēicháng安心ānxīn他tā做zuò事shì， 我wǒ非常fēicháng安心ānxīn
I trust what he did.

他tā做zuò事shì， 我wǒ非常fēicháng放心fàngxīn他tā做zuò事shì， 我wǒ非常fēicháng放心fàngxīn ❌
Grammatically, this is a wrong sentence, but native people sometimes say it.

About 放心 fàngxīn

In Chinese, we usually use the verb 放心 fàngxīn with a noun or a clause in a negative or interrogative sentence, rather than in an affirmative sentence. However, it can be used in an affirmative sentence when giving suggestions.

我wǒ不bú放心fàngxīn他的tāde健康jiànkāng我wǒ不bú放心fàngxīn他的tāde健康jiànkāng  ✅
I worry about his health.
(A negative sentence)

你nǐ放心fàngxīn他的tāde健康jiànkāng嗎ma? 你nǐ放心fàngxīn他的tāde健康jiànkāng吗ma? ✅
Are you worried about his health?
(An interrogative sentence)

我wǒ不bù擔心dānxīn他的tāde健康jiànkāng我wǒ不bù担心dànxīn他的tāde健康jiànkāng ❌
I do not worry about his health.
(An affirmative sentence)

你nǐ放心fàngxīn吧ba！ 他的tāde健康jiànkāng沒問題méiwèntí！ 你nǐ放心fàngxīn吧ba！ 他的tāde健康jiànkāng没问题méiwèntí！ ✅
Don’t worry! His health is fine!
(Giving suggestions)