全心全意

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: quán xīn quán yì
• English Translation: Wholeheartedly (With all one's heart and soul)
• Idiom Composition: 「全」（Whole, entire, or complete.）＋「心」（Heart or mind; the seat of emotions.）＋「全」（Whole, entire, or complete.）＋「意」（Will, intent, or thought.）
• Meaning: To devote all of one's heart and mind to a task or person. It describes a state of complete dedication and sincerity, without any reservations or distractions.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「全心全意」 contains the following nuances:

• Total Immersion: The repetition of the character 全 (quán) emphasizes that it is not just a portion, but the 'entirety' of one's mental and emotional energy being invested.
• Sincerity and Devotion: Beyond mere concentration, this idiom strongly implies a sense of 诚 (chéng) or 'sincerity' and a selfless attitude toward the object of one's focus.

3. Usage

「全心全意」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Service and Dedication: The most common context, used to describe a selfless attitude in work or volunteer activities. It is often used in official evaluations or slogans.
  • Example:「这家医院的医护人员全心全意地照顾每一位病人。」
    （The medical staff at this hospital care for every patient wholeheartedly.）
• Personal Goals: Used to describe focusing entirely on one's dreams or career without being distracted.
  • Example:「为了考上理想的大学，他全心全意地投入到了复习中。」
    （To get into his dream university, he threw himself heart and soul into his studies.）
• Love and Relationships: Describes loving a partner or family member purely, without calculation or wandering eyes.
  • Example:「她全心全意地爱着丈夫，支持他的事业。」
    （She loves her husband with all her heart and supports his career.）

Additional Examples:

1. 只要你全心全意去做，就没有克服不了的困难。
   （As long as you work wholeheartedly, there are no difficulties that cannot be overcome.）
2. 老师全心全意地教导学生，从不计较个人得失。
   （The teacher instructs the students with total devotion, never caring about personal gain or loss.）
3. 我们需要全心全意支持这个项目，才能保证按时完成。
   （We need to support this project with all our heart and soul to ensure it is completed on time.）
4. 他对这份工作全心全意，经常加班到深夜。
   （He is completely dedicated to this job and often works late into the night.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• In China, this idiom is famously associated with the political slogan 'Serve the People Wholeheartedly' (全心全意为人民服务 - quán xīn quán yì wèi rén mín fú wù), a phrase coined by Mao Zedong (毛泽东) that remains the fundamental tenet for public service.
• Despite its formal and political associations, it is a very common and positive term in daily life used to praise someone's earnestness in relationships or their professional work ethic.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 一心一意 (yī xīn yī yì): To be focused on one thing without distraction; similar to 'single-minded.'link
  • 全力以赴 (quán lì yǐ fù): To give one's all; emphasizes the output of energy and effort rather than just the mental state.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 三心二意 (sān xīn èr yì): To be half-hearted or distracted; literally 'three hearts, two minds.'
  • 虚情假意 (xū qíng jiǎ yì): To be hypocritical or insincere; literally 'false feelings and fake intent.'
  • 自私自利 (zì sī zì lì): To be selfish and only care about one's own benefit.link

6. Summary

全心全意 (quán xīn quán yì) is an idiom used to describe pouring 100% of one's mental and emotional energy into something. Whether it is professional dedication, pursuing a goal, or showing deep affection, it emphasizes a positive and sincere attitude. While it is famously used in the political slogan 'serving the people,' it is also a common expression in daily life to describe total commitment.