人心
also: ひとごころ
Meanings
human nature; human heart; human spirit; kindness; sympathy
Refers to the inner nature, emotions, or moral character of people in general. Can also imply compassion or human warmth.
Human nature is not easily changed.
His actions show the warmth of the human heart.
public feeling; people's sentiments
Only with reading じんしん
Used when talking about the collective mood, opinion, or sentiment of the public or a group. Restricted to the reading じんしん.
Grasping public sentiment is fundamental to politics.
If public support wanes, the administration cannot be maintained.
Only with reading ひとごころ
Rare reading ひとごころ used in a limited, almost archaic sense for consciousness or awareness. Often seen in the compound 人心地 (ひとごこち).
See also: 人心地 (ひとごこち)
The expression 人心地がつく means to regain consciousness.
Usage patterns
- 人心を掴むto win people's hearts/support
The new leader won people's hearts with his speech.
- 人心が離れるfor people's support/sympathy to turn away
Repeated policy failures caused public sentiment to turn away.
- 人心を惑わすto mislead or unsettle public sentiment
False information spread and unsettled public sentiment.