信望爱
xìn wàng ài
Hope faith love · trad. 信望愛
信望爱 (xìn wàng ài) is a concise and often poetic phrase in Chinese that directly translates to "faith, hope, and love." It is frequently used in religious contexts, particularly Christianity, but can also appear in broader philosophical or inspirational discussions.
When to use it
Neutral to slightly formal. While it's a direct translation of a significant concept, it's not an everyday conversational phrase. It's most commonly encountered in written texts, speeches, or discussions with a deeper meaning. For individual concepts, use 希望 (xīwàng) for hope, 信心 (xìnxīn) for faith/confidence, and 爱 (ài) for love.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "sheen WAHNG eye." 信 (xìn) is a falling tone, 望 (wàng) is a falling tone, and 爱 (ài) is a falling tone.
Other ways to say it
- 希望xī wànghope (as a noun or verb)
- 信心xìn xīnfaith; confidence (as a noun)
- 爱àilove (as a noun or verb)
Examples
圣经教导我们要有信、望、爱。
shèng jīng jiào dǎo wǒ men yào yǒu xìn 、 wàng 、 ài 。
The Bible teaches us to have faith, hope, and love.
我们对未来充满希望。
wǒ men duì wèi lái chōng mǎn xī wàng 。
We are full of hope for the future.
爱是世上最美好的情感。
ài shì shì shàng zuì měi hǎo de qíng gǎn 。
Love is the most beautiful emotion in the world.
Pro tip: While "信望爱" is a direct and elegant translation for the trio, remember that in everyday conversation, you'll more often hear the individual words like 希望 (xīwàng) for "hope," 信心 (xìnxīn) for "faith" or "confidence," and 爱 (ài) for "love." "信望爱" is more of a set phrase.
Related phrases
和平 · Peace钱 · Money闭嘴 · Shut up
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