灰心

Using this word is very simple. You usually pair it with the verb 不要 (bú yào) to tell someone "don't lose heart." You can also say 感到灰心 (gǎndào huīxīn) to mean "feeling discouraged." It works as an adjective to describe your state of mind. It is not about being angry. It is about that quiet, sad moment of losing hope. It is very common in daily conversations.

Use this when a friend fails an exam they studied hard for. Use it when your DIY project looks nothing like the Pinterest photo. It is perfect for professional setbacks, like not getting a promotion. You can use it when texting a buddy who is struggling with a new hobby. It shows you understand their emotional exhaustion. It is a very empathetic word to use with others.

Do not use 灰心 for minor inconveniences. If the coffee shop is out of oat milk, you are not 灰心. That is just a bummer. Also, avoid using it for deep, clinical depression. This word is more about a reaction to a specific event or failure. It is also not a word for being "bored." If you use it for small things, you might sound a bit too dramatic!

In Chinese culture, perseverance is a massive deal. There are endless idioms about working hard. Because of this, 灰心 is often seen as a temporary hurdle to overcome. You will often hear people say "Failure is the mother of success." So, when someone says they are 灰心, the standard response is immediate encouragement. It is a signal for friends to step in and help you relight that fire.

If you want to sound more intense, you can use 心灰意冷 (xīn huī yì lěng). This means your heart is ash and your will is cold. It is like 灰心 but on steroids. For a more casual vibe, you might just say 受打击了 (shòu dǎ jī le), meaning "I took a hit." But 灰心 remains the most versatile and common way to express this feeling.