在乎
zài hu HSK 5

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

他很在乎朋友的意见。
Tā hěn zàihu péngyou de yìjiàn.
He cares a lot about his friends' opinions.
我不在乎天气好坏。
Wǒ bù zàihu tiānqì hǎo huài.
I don't mind whether the weather is good or bad.
她非常在乎考试成绩。
Tā fēicháng zàihu kǎoshì chéngjì.
She cares deeply about exam results.
我不在乎天气。
Wǒ bù zàihu tiānqì.
I don't care about the weather.
他很在乎成绩。
Tā hěn zàihu chéngjī.
He cares a lot about grades.

💡 Memory Tip

Break it down: 在 (zài) means 'at' or 'in,' and 乎 (hu) is a classical particle often used in questions. Think of it as asking 'Is it in your heart?'—if it is, you 在乎 it. Alternatively, link it to the phrase 'It's in (在) my heart, so I care (乎).'

📝 Usage Notes

It is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, in formal and informal contexts. It often appears in discussions about relationships, personal feelings, opinions, or trivial matters. It is frequently used in negative forms (e.g., 不在乎) to indicate not caring.

📖 Grammar Points

Often used with an object (在乎 + noun/pronoun). Can be modified by degree adverbs like 很, 非常, 特别. Commonly negated as 不在乎. Can be used in rhetorical questions, e.g., '你在乎吗?' (Do you care?).

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, saying someone 不在乎别人的感受 (doesn't care about others' feelings) is a strong criticism, as social harmony and consideration for others are highly valued. Expressing that you 在乎 someone can convey deep affection or responsibility.

🔄 Similar Words

Similar to 关心 (guānxīn, 'to show concern/care for'), but 在乎 is more about personal emotional attachment ('it matters to me'), while 关心 is more about actively showing care for others' well-being. Also differs from 在意 (zàiyì), which is very close in meaning but sometimes slightly more formal or literary.

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