Chinese word

心里有数

Pronunciation

Pinyinxīn lǐ yǒu shù

Meaning

  • idiomhave a clear idea

Example

老板对项目的进度心里有数。láo bǎn duì xiàng mù dì jìn dù xīn lí yǒu shù

The boss has a clear idea of the project's progress.

Illustration for 心里有数 (have a clear idea)

More examples

经理对客户的需求心里有数。jīng lǐ duì kè hù de xū qiú xīn lí yǒu shù

The manager has a clear idea of the customer's needs.

Core concept

A mental estimate that keeps the overall situation and likely result in view without fixing every detail.

Common phrases

  • 对情况心里有数duì qíng kuàng xīn lí yǒu shù

    have a clear idea of the situation

  • 对进度心里有数duì jìn dù xīn lí yǒu shù

    have a clear idea of the progress

  • 对价格心里有数duì jià gé xīn lí yǒu shù

    have a clear idea of the price

Similar words

心中有数xīn zhōng yǒu shù: Having an approximate number or general situation in mind.
心里有底xīn lí yóu dǐ: Feeling prepared for what may happen because enough information is available.

Definition in Chinese

对事情的发展、数量或可能结果有心里估计，但不一定给出精确数字。duì shì qíng de fā zhǎn shù liàng huò kě néng jié guǒ yǒu xīn lǐ gū jì dàn bù yí dìng gěi chū jīng què shù zì

Word origin

心 (xīn, "heart") + 里 (lǐ, "inside") + 有 (yǒu, "have") + 数 (shù, "number") creates the image of numbers held in the mind, meaning an informed estimate rather than a stated calculation.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, it can reassure listeners that a speaker is prepared to discuss a plan, while a request for exact figures still calls for a separate precise answer.

Other meanings

  • have a sense of the situationidiom
  • have an idea of the outcomeidiom

Opposites

Word lists with this word