空想

• Pinyin: kōng xiǎng
• Hanzi breakdown: 空 = empty; 想 = 相 + 心 (heart)

Meaning

Fantasy; daydream; idle fancy. Unrealistic thinking or impractical ideas.

Often carries a negative connotation suggesting that the ideas lack grounding in reality. Can be used philosophically as in 空想社会主义 (utopian socialism). Contrasted with 理想 (ideal) which is more positive.

Examples

1. 光靠空想是实现不了目标的。 You can't achieve goals by daydreaming alone.
2. 他的计划听起来更像空想而不是可行方案。 His plan sounds more like fantasy than a feasible proposal.
3. 年轻人有点空想是正常的，但也要脚踏实地。 It's normal for young people to have some fantasies, but they also need to be grounded.

Usage Guide

Context: criticism, philosophy, planning

Tone: dismissive

Do Say

• 别再空想了，行动起来。(Stop daydreaming and start taking action.)
• 这只是空想，不切实际。(This is just fantasy — it's not realistic.)

Don't Say

• 我空想去旅游。(Don't use 空想 for normal wishes — use 想 or 梦想; 空想 implies unrealistic fantasy)

Origin & History

Compound of 空 (empty/in vain) + 想 (think/imagine). Literally 'empty thinking.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal