想

• Pinyin: xiǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 想 = 相 (appearance/mutual, phonetic) + 心 (heart) — thoughts from the heart

Meaning

To think; to want to; to miss. Expresses thinking, desire, or longing.

A highly versatile verb with three main uses: (1) to think or believe, (2) to want to do something (followed by a verb), and (3) to miss someone or something. Context determines which meaning is intended. One of the most essential verbs in Chinese.

Examples

1. 我想喝水。 I want to drink water.
2. 你在想什么？ What are you thinking about?
3. 我很想妈妈。 I miss Mom a lot.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, emotional

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我想去中国。(I want to go to China.)
• 我很想你。(I miss you very much.)

Don't Say

• 我想要去想中国。(Redundant — don't combine 想要 and 想 together; say 我想去中国 or 我想要去中国)

Origin & History

The character 想 combines 相 (mutual/appearance, phonetic) with 心 (heart), reflecting the idea of thoughts and desires coming from the heart.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal