Meaning and Usage
"熱心" (ねっしん) means enthusiasm or zeal. It describes a strong, passionate attitude toward an activity or cause. It is often used to express dedication or eagerness.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "熱心" used to describe someone's attitude toward work, hobbies, studies, or volunteer activities. It can describe both people and their behavior.
Collocations and Patterns
- 熱心に + verb: indicates doing something enthusiastically (e.g., 熱心に勉強する - study enthusiastically).
- 熱心な + noun: describes a person or group with enthusiasm (e.g., 熱心なファン - enthusiastic fans).
- 熱心だ: a simple way to say someone is enthusiastic.
Register and Nuance
"熱心" is neutral and polite, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It conveys positive dedication without exaggeration.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "熱心" with "一生懸命" (いっしょうけんめい), which also means doing something with effort. "熱心" emphasizes enthusiasm and passion, while "一生懸命" stresses hard work and perseverance. Use "熱心" when you want to highlight eagerness or zeal.