信信

xìn

HSK 2HSK 2 (Write)Most Common

Basic Meaning

Often refers to physical or electronic mail. Common collocations include 写 (write), 送 (send), 收 (receive).

letter; written correspondence

按照习惯的格式把要说的话写下来给指定的对象看的东西；书信。

Words:

送信介绍信证明信写信书信

Sentences:

我(wǒ)昨(zuó)天(tiān)收(shōu)到(dào)一(yì)封(fēng)老(lǎo)朋(péng)友(you)写(xiě)的(de)信(xìn)。
I received a letter written by an old friend yesterday.
你(nǐ)需(xū)要(yào)写(xiě)一(yì)封(fēng)介(jiè)绍(shào)信(xìn)才(cái)能(néng)申(shēn)请(qǐng)这(zhè)个(ge)职(zhí)位(wèi)。
You need to write a letter of introduction to apply for this position.

Often used orally or informally, especially with '儿' suffix (信儿). Can be a simple verbal update.

message; information; news

（～儿）音信；消息。

Words:

口信儿通风报信信息音信信儿

Synonyms:

息

Sentences:

他(tā)让(ràng)我(wǒ)给(gěi)你(nǐ)带(dài)个(ge)口(kǒu)信(xìn)儿(r)，说(shuō)他(tā)明(míng)天(tiān)回(huí)来(lái)。
He asked me to bring you a verbal message, saying he'll be back tomorrow.
自(zì)从(cóng)他(tā)搬(bān)家(jiā)后(hòu)，我(wǒ)们(men)就(jiù)失(shī)去(qù)了(le)音(yīn)信(xìn)。
We lost contact (news) with him after he moved.

A specific, technical term. Mostly used in contexts like fireworks, explosives, or mines (e.g., 引信).

fuse; detonator

引信。

Words:

信管信线信药

Sentences:

在(zài)引(yǐn)爆(bào)之(zhī)前(qián)，必(bì)须(xū)检(jiǎn)查(chá)好(hǎo)信(xìn)管(guǎn)。
Before detonation, the fuse must be checked carefully.

adj

Describes information or history that is verified and credible (e.g., 信史). More formal/literary.

true; reliable; factual

确实；真实。

Words:

信而有征信史信而有据

Sentences:

这(zhè)份(fèn)历(lì)史(shǐ)记(jì)载(zǎi)有(yǒu)充(chōng)分(fèn)的(de)证(zhèng)据(jù)，被(bèi)认(rèn)为(wéi)是(shì)信(xìn)史(shǐ)。
This historical record has ample evidence and is considered reliable history.

adj

Describes a person's character regarding keeping promises. Often used in set phrases about trustworthiness (守信) or its lack (失信).

trustworthy; credible

信用。

Words:

言而有信守信失信信誉交关信用

Sentences:

他(tā)是(shì)一(yī)个(ge)守(shǒu)信(xìn)的(de)人(rén)，答(dā)应(yìng)的(de)事(shì)一(yī)定(dìng)会(huì)做(zuò)到(dào)。
He is a trustworthy person; he will definitely do what he promises.
商(shāng)业(yè)合(hé)作(zuò)中(zhōng)，信(xìn)用(yòng)非(fēi)常(cháng)重(zhòng)要(yào)。
Credit (trustworthiness) is very important in business cooperation.

The most common verb usage. Can be followed by a person, statement, or idea.

to believe; to trust

相信；信任。

Words:

信以为真信托信任信赖

Sentences:

我(wǒ)完(wán)全(quán)相(xiāng)信(xìn)他(tā)说(shuō)的(de)话(huà)。
I completely believe what he said.
你(nǐ)可(kě)以(yǐ)信(xìn)任(rèn)这(zhè)位(wèi)医(yī)生(shēng)，他(tā)很(hěn)有(yǒu)经(jīng)验(yàn)。
You can trust this doctor; he is very experienced.

Specifically used for religious faith. Followed by the religion (e.g., 信佛).

to believe in; to be a follower of (a religion)

信奉（宗教）。

Words:

信教信徒信奉信佛信神

Sentences:

我(wǒ)的(de)奶(nǎi)奶(nai)信(xìn)佛(fó)，每(měi)天(tiān)都(dōu)会(huì)念(niàn)经(jīng)。
My grandmother believes in Buddhism and chants sutras every day.

Almost always used in fixed, semi-idiomatic phrases (e.g., 信步, 信口开河). It indicates a casual, unrestrained action.

to act at will; to follow one's inclinations

听凭；随意；放任。

Words:

信步信口开河信口雌黄信马由缰信手拈来

Synonyms:

随任

Antonyms:

限束

Sentences:

傍(bàng)晚(wǎn)时(shí)分(fēn)，我(wǒ)喜(xǐ)欢(huān)在(zài)公(gōng)园(yuán)里(lǐ)信(xìn)步(bù)走(zǒu)走(zǒu)。
In the evening, I like to take a leisurely stroll in the park.
他(tā)经(jīng)常(cháng)信(xìn)口(kǒu)开(kāi)河(hé)，说(shuō)的(de)话(huà)不(bù)能(néng)全(quán)信(xìn)。
He often talks irresponsibly (shoots his mouth off); you can't believe everything he says.

An object or sign that serves as proof, authorization, or a pre-arranged sign. Common in historical or formal contexts.

token; credential; signal

符信；凭据。

Words:

信号印信信物

Synonyms:

证据

Antonyms:

疑

Sentences:

在(zài)古(gǔ)代(dài)，印(yìn)信(xìn)是(shì)官(guān)员(yuán)权(quán)力(lì)的(de)重(zhòng)要(yào)象(xiàng)征(zhēng)。
In ancient times, the official seal was an important symbol of an official's power.
这(zhè)个(ge)戒(jiè)指(zhǐ)是(shì)我(wǒ)们(men)的(de)爱(ài)情(qíng)信(xìn)物(wù)。
This ring is our token of love.