Correct
相信 vs 信
/ xiāngxìn vs xìn /
Strokes
Definition
相信 (xiāngxìn) and 信 (xìn), both words mean "to believe", "to believe something to be true without doubt", with the latter being more colloquial. but they are used differently in terms of grammar, formality, and context.
1. 相信 (xiāngxìn) – "To Believe (Must Have an Object)"
- Must be followed by a person, statement, or concept.
- Used in both formal and informal situations.
- Cannot stand alone—it always requires an object.
Examples:
- ✅ 我相信你。 (Wǒ xiāngxìn nǐ.) – "I believe you."
- ✅ 他不相信这个理论。 (Tā bù xiāngxìn zhège lǐlùn.) – "He doesn’t believe this theory."
- ❌ "我相信。" (Incorrect—must specify what you believe.)
2. 信 (xìn) – "To Believe (More Flexible & Casual)"
- Can be used alone without an object.
- More common in spoken, casual Chinese.
- Also means "letter" (e.g., 一封信 – "a letter").
- Often used in religious or superstitious contexts.
Examples:
- ✅ 你信吗？ (Nǐ xìn ma?) – "Do you believe it?" (More natural than "你相信吗？" in speech.)
- ✅ 我信！ (Wǒ xìn!) – "I believe it!"
- ✅ 他信佛。 (Tā xìn fó.) – "He believes in Buddhism."
- ❌ "我信你。" (Less natural—better to say "我相信你。")
3. Key Differences in Usage
- 相信 is more formal and requires an object (e.g., 相信科学 "believe in science").
- 信 is more casual and can stand alone (e.g., "你信不信？" "Do you believe it or not?").
- 信 also means "letter," while 相信 only means "believe."
4. When to Use Which?
- Use 相信 when you need to say "believe + something/someone."
- Example: "我相信你的能力。" (I believe in your ability.)
- Use 信 in casual speech or when talking about religion/superstition.
- Example: "你信命运吗？" (Do you believe in fate?)
Summary
- 相信 (xiāngxìn) = Formal, requires an object (e.g., "我相信你").
- 信 (xìn) = Casual, can stand alone, also means "letter" (e.g., "我信！").
Example
相信 and 信, both are transitive verbs, but 相信 can take a clause as the object, while 信 under certain condition can take a noun, measure word, pronoun, or numeral as its object. Its negative form 不信 can take a clause as its object.
1) In the below examples, the object in example ② is a clause, so only 相信 can be used here. In example ①, though the object is a pronoun, 信 is not as good as 相信. It is usually in very colloquial language that 信 takes an object.
2) In examples ③ and ④ 相信 can also be used instead.
2) In examples ③ and ④ 相信 can also be used instead.
1
Wǒ
我
rènwéi
认为
tā
他
hěn
很
kěkào
可靠
,
yě
也
hěn
很
xiāngxìn
相信
tā
他
。
I think he's trustworthy, so I trust him.
2
Wǒmen
我们
xiāngxìn
相信
zhè
这
jǐ
几
ge
个
wèntí
问题
dōu
都
néng
能
ànshí
按时
jiějué
解决
。
I believe these problems are likely to be solved on time.
3
Tā
他
shì
是
wǒ
我
de
的
hǎo
好
xīongdì
兄弟
,
wǒ
我
juéduì
绝对
xìn
信
(
xiāngxìn
相信
)
tā
他
!
He's my good brother, and I trust him completely.
4
Wǒ
我
xìn
信
zhèhuà
这话
。
Wǒ
我
xìn
信
(
xiāngxìn
相信
)
tā
他
de
的
huà
话
。
I believe the words. I believe his words.
不信 can be used very freely. This, to some extent, is because it is disyllabic.
In examples ⑤ and ⑥, 不相信 can be used instead.
5
Wǒ
我
jiù
就
bù
不
xìn
信
(
xiāngxìn
相信
)
zhè
这
shì
事
bàn
办
bù
不
chéng
成
!
I don't believe I cannot do it.
6
Tā
他
gēnběn
根本
bù
不
xìn
信
(
xiāngxìn
相信
)
zhège
这个
rén
人
shuō
说
de
的
huà
话
!
He didn't trust the man at all.
信 can also mean "to profess faith in".
7
Xìnfó
信佛
believe in Buddhism
8
Xìn
信
jīdūjiào
基督教
believed in Christianity
In literary language, 信 can also mean at will or at random, mostly in some four-character phrases.
9
Xìnkǒucíhuáng
信口雌黄
make irresponsible remarks
10
Xiántíngxìnbù
闲庭信步
stroll in a quiet,tranquil courtyard
Mistake
❌ "我相信。" (Wrong—must add an object, like "我相信你。")
✅ "我信。" (Correct—can stand alone.)
❌ "你信他吗？" (Less natural—better to say "你相信他吗？")