sān三threexīn心heartsèr二twoyì意minds
Half-hearted; indecisive; fickle.
Literal meaning
three (三) — hearts (心) — two (二) — minds (意)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase describing someone who is not focused or committed.
Examples
Zuòshì bùyào sānxīn'èryì, yào zhuānxīn zhìzhì.做事不要三心二意，要专心致志。
Don't be half-hearted when doing things; be focused and dedicated.
Tā zǒngshì sānxīn'èryì, suǒyǐ hěn nán zuòchū juédìng.她总是三心二意，所以很难做出决定。
She is always indecisive, so it is difficult for her to make a decision.
Usage & nuances
Has a negative connotation, implying a lack of commitment or focus.
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