心中有数
xīn zhōng yǒu shù
to know where one stands; to have a clear idea of something
Character by character
心xīn
heart
heart
中zhōng
in
in
有yǒu
have
have
数shù
number
number
Example
考试以前把错题再看一遍，做到心中有数，进了考场就不慌了。
Go over the questions you got wrong before the exam, so you know where you stand and will not panic in the hall.
Tone: positive (praise).
Usage and origin
Common with 做到 or 对……心中有数. In speech it is often 心里有数; the opposite is 心中无数, not knowing what one is facing.
Learn this in Lesson 201 · HSK 7–9: 读懂工资条 (Reading your payslip)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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