出主意

• Pinyin: chū zhǔ yi
• Hanzi breakdown: 出 = to produce; 主 = 丶 + 王 = main/master; 意 = 音 + 心 = meaning/idea

Meaning

To offer an idea; to come up with a suggestion; to give advice.

A verb-object phrase meaning to propose ideas or suggestions. Can be positive (helpful advice) or negative (scheming, plotting) depending on context. Common in everyday conversation.

Examples

1. 你帮我出出主意，这事该怎么办？ Can you help me think of something — what should I do about this?
2. 他总喜欢给别人出主意，自己却什么都不做。 He always likes giving others advice but never does anything himself.
3. 大家一起出主意，看看怎么解决这个问题。 Let's all brainstorm together and see how to solve this problem.

Usage Guide

Context: advice, problem-solving, discussion

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 别光出主意，你倒是帮忙干点活啊。(Don't just offer ideas — help do some actual work.)
• 我来给你出个主意。(Let me give you a suggestion.)

Don't Say

• 他出了一个好主意想法 (Redundant — say 出了一个好主意 without adding 想法)

Origin & History

Verb-object compound of 出 (to produce) and 主意 (idea/plan). Literally to produce an idea.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal