深思

• Pinyin: shēn sī
• Hanzi breakdown: 深 = 氵component (deep); 思 = 田 + 心 (mind working in the field of thought — to think)

Meaning

To think deeply; to ponder carefully; to reflect profoundly on a matter; to engage in thorough and sustained contemplation.

Often paired with 熟虑 to form the idiom 深思熟虑 (to deliberate carefully and thoroughly). Used in decision-making, philosophical reflection, and academic contexts. Implies a level of mental effort beyond casual thought.

Examples

1. 面对这一复杂的伦理问题，委员会成员经过深思之后才给出了最终意见。 Faced with this complex ethical issue, the committee members only gave their final opinion after careful reflection.
2. 他在阅读完这本书后陷入了深思，开始重新审视自己的人生选择。 After finishing the book, he fell into deep thought and began reexamining his life choices.
3. 领导层经过深思熟虑，决定暂缓推进原有的扩张计划。 After careful consideration, the leadership decided to temporarily put the original expansion plan on hold.

Usage Guide

Context: decision-making, philosophy, reflection, academia

Tone: contemplative

Do Say

• 做出重大决定之前，我们有必要深思其长远影响，而不是仓促行事。(Before making major decisions, it is necessary to think deeply about their long-term implications rather than acting hastily.)
• 她深思良久，最终放弃了那个看似诱人却风险极高的投资机会。(After prolonged deep reflection, she ultimately abandoned that investment opportunity which seemed attractive but carried extremely high risks.)

Don't Say

• 我在深思一道数学题 — 深思 is used for profound or weighty matters; for routine problems use 思考 or 想 instead

Origin & History

深 (deep, thorough) + 思 (to think, to ponder)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal