Double-Hearted Dilemma

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

The phrase "三心二意" (Sān xīn èr yì) can be traced back to an ancient Chinese story. Legend has it that a government official in ancient China faced a dilemma when making an important decision. He was torn between two choices and found himself unable to make up his mind. The story reflects the psychological state of hesitation and indecision that people experience when confronted with difficult choices.

Inspiration

The story of "三心二意" inspires us to make decisive choices when faced with important decisions. It underscores the importance of decision-making and the need to avoid being paralyzed by doubt 怀疑（huáiyí）and vacillation. This phrase reminds us to take responsibility for our choices to prevent regrets.

怀疑（huáiyí），noun，doubt

I have a doubt about his explanation.
我对他的解释有怀疑。
Wǒ duì tā de jiěshì yǒu huáiyí.

He is full of doubt about his own abilities.
他对自己的能力充满怀疑。
Tā duì zìjǐ de nénglì chōngmǎn huáiyí.

Meaning of the Term

"三心二意" (Sān xīn èr yì) signifies a person's hesitation and inner conflict when making decisions or choices. It is often used to describe individuals who cannot make up their minds or are torn between two options.

Modern Application

In contemporary society, the story of "三心二意" continues to offer valuable lessons. When confronted with significant decisions, we should consider various factors but also avoid endless hesitation. The ability to make decisions is a key factor in success, so we must learn to make choices decisively and take responsibility责任（zérèn） for them.

责任（zérèn），noun，responsibility

Taking responsibility for your actions is important.
对自己的行为负责任很重要。
Duì zìjǐ de xíngwéi fù zérèn hěn zhòngyào.

We should share the responsibility for protecting the environment.
我们应该共同承担保护环境的责任。
Wǒmen yīnggāi gòngtóng chéngdān bǎohù huánjìng de zérèn.

She hesitated and vacillated in choosing her college major, leading to confusion.
她三心二意地选择了大学专业，最终导致了迷茫。
Tā sān xīn èr yì de xuǎnzéle dàxué zhuānyè, zuìzhōng dǎozhìle mímáng.

We mustn't be indecisive; we should pursue our dreams with determination.
我们不能三心二意，要坚定地追求自己的梦想。
Wǒmen bùnéng sān xīn èr yì, yào jiāndìng de zhuīqiú zìjǐ de mèngxiǎng.

Faced with a career choice, he has been indecisive, not knowing which path to take.
面对职业抉择，他一直三心二意，不知道要走哪条路。
Miàn duì zhíyè juézé, tā yīzhí sān xīn èr yì, bù zhīdào yào zǒu nǎ tiáo lù.

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