5 · 40 words

Psychology and the mind

Moods and motives, anxiety and confidence, and the words a counsellor uses.

Many words for the mind end in 感(gǎn), “a sense of”: 安全感(ānquángǎn), 归属感(guīshǔgǎn), 成就感(chéngjiùgǎn). Chinese treats the feeling as something you have — 很(hěn)有(yǒu)成就感(chéngjiùgǎn) — where English says “feel a sense of achievement”. 情商(qíngshāng) and 智商(zhìshāng) are built the same way, a “quotient” of feeling and of intellect.

The words

Verb (6)

意识(yìshí)to be aware of; to realise; consciousnessVerb5

他(tā)过(guò)了(le)很(hěn)久(jiǔ)才(cái)意识(yìshí)到(dào)自己(zìjǐ)错(cuò)了(le)。It was a long time before he realised that he was wrong.

Usually 意识(yìshí)到(dào), to become aware of; often heard with a neutral tone, yìshi.

依赖(yīlài)to depend on; to rely onVerb5

孩子(háizi)太(tài)依赖(yīlài)父母(fùmǔ)，长大(zhǎngdà)后(hòu)很(hěn)难(nán)独立(dúlì)。Children who depend too much on their parents find it hard to stand on their own feet as adults.

共情(gòngqíng)to empathise; empathyVerb5

好(hǎo)的(de)医生(yīshēng)懂得(dǒngde)和(hé)病人(bìngrén)共情(gòngqíng)。A good doctor knows how to empathise with patients.

A term from psychology; in everyday speech people say 理解(lǐjiě) or 体会(tǐhuì).

发泄(fāxiè)to vent; to let off (feelings)Verb5

他(tā)去(qù)跑步(pǎobù)发泄(fāxiè)心里(xīnli)的(de)不满(bùmǎn)。He went for a run to work off his frustration.

控制(kòngzhì)to controlVerb4

他(tā)很(hěn)难(nán)控制(kòngzhì)自己(zìjǐ)的(de)脾气(píqi)。He finds it hard to control his temper.

调节(tiáojié)to regulate; to adjustVerb5

听(tīng)音乐(yīnyuè)能(néng)帮助(bāngzhù)人(rén)调节(tiáojié)情绪(qíngxù)。Listening to music can help people regulate their mood.

The first syllable is tiáo, to adjust; diào is to transfer, as in 调查(diàochá).

This list belongs to People and feelings — eleven lists and 442 words that can also be practised as a whole.

Practise this list

Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 40 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.