思想

• Pinyin: sī xiǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 思 = 田 (field) + 心 (heart/mind); 想 = 相 (mutual) + 心 (heart/mind)

Meaning

Thought; thinking; ideology. Refers to ideas, beliefs, or a system of thought.

Can refer to personal attitudes (思想开放, open-minded) or formal ideological systems. Also used to describe someone's mindset or mentality. Common in education, politics, and philosophy.

Examples

1. 他的思想很开放。 His thinking is very open-minded.
2. 我们应该多交流思想。 We should exchange ideas more often.
3. 这位作家的思想影响了很多人。 This writer's ideas influenced many people.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, philosophy, education

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 年轻人的思想比较活跃。(Young people's thinking is relatively active.)
• 读书可以丰富我们的思想。(Reading can enrich our thinking.)

Don't Say

• 我有一个思想去旅行。(Don't use 思想 for a casual idea or plan — use 想法 instead. 思想 refers to deep or systematic thinking, not everyday plans.)

Origin & History

思 (to think) + 想 (to think/imagine). Both characters relate to mental activity, together emphasising deep or systematic thinking.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal