考虑

• Pinyin: kǎo lǜ
• Hanzi breakdown: 考 = to examine/scrutinise; 虑 = 思 (thought) + 心 (heart) — thinking deeply from the heart

Meaning

To consider; to think about; to take into account. Implies careful deliberation before making a decision.

More deliberate than 想 (to think), 考虑 suggests careful weighing of options or factors. Commonly followed by a topic or decision (考虑这个问题, 考虑要不要去). Used in formal and everyday contexts. Also appears in the phrase 考虑到 (taking into account; given that).

Examples

1. 我需要认真考虑一下这个建议，再给你答复。 I need to think carefully about this suggestion before giving you a reply.
2. 考虑到天气原因，比赛推迟了一天。 Taking the weather into account, the match was postponed by one day.
3. 他考虑了很久，最终决定辞职。 He thought about it for a long time and finally decided to resign.

Usage Guide

Context: decision-making, everyday, professional

Tone: thoughtful

Do Say

• 我还在考虑要不要接受这份工作。(I'm still considering whether to accept this job.)
• 你有什么需要考虑的，尽管说。(If there's anything you need to think about, feel free to say so.)

Don't Say

• 我考虑了他的脸 (Don't use 考虑 with physical observations — 考虑 requires abstract matters, decisions, or problems as its object; use 注意 or 观察 for physical attention)

Origin & History

A compound of 考 (to examine; to scrutinise) and 虑 (to think carefully; to worry — featuring 心 the heart radical), together conveying a careful, heart-felt deliberation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal