天真

tiānzhēn

naive

HSK 6

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"天真" (tiānzhēn) describes a state of innocence or naivety, often implying a lack of worldly experience or sophistication. It can be used to describe children or adults who are trusting and simple-minded.

Common Contexts

It frequently appears when talking about someone's trusting nature or pure-heartedness, sometimes with a slightly negative nuance if it leads to being easily deceived.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 天真邪 (tiānzhēn wúxié): completely innocent and pure, often used to describe children.
  • 天真 (tiānzhēn lànmàn): naive and lively, emphasizing a cheerful innocence.

Usage Notes

When using 天真, be aware it can carry both positive and negative connotations depending on context. It praises purity and simplicity but can also suggest gullibility. Avoid confusing it with (talent) or (sincerity), which have different meanings.

Example Sentences

他很天真,总是相信别人说的话。

Tā hěn tiānzhēn, zǒng shì xiāngxìn biérén shuō de huà.

He is very naive and always believes what others say.

孩子们的天真让人感到温暖。

Háizimen de tiānzhēn ràng rén gǎndào wēnnuǎn.

The children's innocence makes people feel warm.

她的天真有时会让她吃亏。

Tā de tiānzhēn yǒushí huì ràng tā chīkuī.

Her naivety sometimes causes her to suffer losses.