反省

fǎn xǐng

HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Uncommon

Save to list

Definitions

1. to reflect upon oneself
2. to examine one's conscience
3. to question oneself
4. to search one's soul

Stop forgetting what you study.
Build recall daily.

Try HanyuGuide's Chinese review system with multiple choice, typed recall, tone-aware practice, and reviews scheduled before memory fades.

Start Free Trial $9.99 / year

Lifetime for $19.99 Try the 30-second demo

Word relationships

Related words

1 item

• 后悔 hòu huǐ 后悔 hòu huǐ to regret; to feel remorse Feel regret, often after reflection.: to regret; to feel remorse

Synonyms

3 items

• 反思 fǎn sī 反思 fǎn sī to think back over sth Reflect on past actions or thoughts.: to think back over sth
• 自省 zì xǐng 自省 zì xǐng to examine oneself Self-examination of one's behavior.: to examine oneself
• 检讨 jiǎn tǎo 检讨 jiǎn tǎo to examine or inspect Make a self-criticism or examine mistakes.: to examine or inspect

Usage notes

Common mistakes

“反省” often requires a specific object (e.g., 反省自己/反省错误) and is not used intransitively as casually as English “reflect”; avoid using it alone without clarifying what is reflected upon.

Formality

“反省” has a formal, introspective tone and is often used in writing or serious speech, not for casual daily reflection.

Example Sentences

1 shown

你需要 反省 自己的行为。

You need to reflect on your own behavior.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 反省

• 反 反 fǎn: contrary
• 省 省 shěng: to save
• 省 省 xǐng: (bound form) to scrutinize