中心 (zhōngxīn) — center / core

HSK 3 | noun | the center or core of something

中心 (zhōngxīn)

Refers to the center point of a place or the core focus of a topic or activity.

Meanings

  1. [noun] Center, the middle point of a space or area.
  2. [noun] Core, the main focus or hub of something.

Example Sentences

购物中心在城市的中心。 Gòuwù zhōngxīn zài chéngshì de zhōngxīn. The shopping center is in the center of the city.

北京是中国的政治中心。 Běijīng shì Zhōngguó de zhèngzhì zhōngxīn. Beijing is the political center of China.

这个社区有一个运动中心。 Zhège shèqū yǒu yīgè yùndòng zhōngxīn. This community has a sports center.

他是整个团队的中心人物。 Tā shì zhěnggè tuánduì de zhōngxīn rénwù. He is the central figure of the whole team.

Collocations

Collocation Meaning
购物中心 shopping center
市中心 city center, downtown
中心思想 central idea, main theme
服务中心 service center
文化中心 cultural center

Memory Hook

中 means "middle" and 心 means "heart" — the heart of the middle is the center of everything.