信念 (xìnniàn)

信念 refers to a deeply held belief or conviction that shapes a person's worldview and guides their decisions. It goes beyond casual opinion and implies a strong inner commitment. People often rely on their 信念 to persevere through difficult circumstances.

Meanings

noun belief, conviction, firm faith in an idea or principle

Example Sentences

他的信念从未动摇过。 Tā de xìnniàn cóng wèi dòngyáo guò. His conviction has never wavered.

坚定的信念帮助她度过了困难时期。 Jiāndìng de xìnniàn bāngzhù tā dùguò le kùnnán shíqī. A firm belief helped her get through the hard times.

这种信念深深植根于文化之中。 Zhè zhǒng xìnniàn shēnshēn zhígēn yú wénhuà zhī zhōng. This belief is deeply rooted in the culture.

他们共同的信念使团队更加团结。 Tāmen gòngtóng de xìnniàn shǐ tuánduì gèngjiā tuánjié. Their shared convictions made the team more united.

失去信念会让人感到迷失方向。 Shīqù xìnniàn huì ràng rén gǎndào míshī fāngxiàng. Losing one's beliefs can make a person feel directionless.

她的信念来自于多年的生活经历。 Tā de xìnniàn láizì yú duōnián de shēnghuó jīnglì. Her convictions come from many years of lived experience.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
坚定信念	to firm up one's beliefs
宗教信念	religious belief
共同信念	shared conviction
信念动摇	conviction wavers
核心信念	core belief

Usage Notes

信念 is stronger and more personal than 想法 (idea) or 观点 (viewpoint). It implies emotional investment and long-term commitment. In formal writing and speeches, 信念 often appears alongside adjectives like 坚定 (firm) or 崇高 (noble).

In psychology and philosophy contexts, 信念 is the standard translation for "belief" as a mental state. It can be positive (motivating) or negative (limiting), and is often discussed in the context of personal growth and resilience.

Memory Hook

Think of 信 (trust/faith) plus 念 (to think of) — a belief is something you faithfully keep in mind.