有创意
yǒu chuàngyì
The Mandarin word for creative is 有创意 (yǒu chuàngyì).
有创意 means having creativity, describing something that is original, expressive and imaginative. For the concept of innovation, you can use 创新 (chuàngxīn), which also encompasses the idea of creativity.
Meaning: original, expressive, and imaginative (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 有 (yǒu), meaning 'to have' and 创意 (chuàngyì), meaning 'creativity' or 'original idea'.
Which one should you use?
While 有创意 is used to describe the quality of being creative, 创造力 (chuàngzàolì) refers to the actual 'power of creativity' or 'creative ability' as a noun. Additionally, 富有创造力 (fùyǒu chuàngzàolì) can be used to express that someone is 'rich in creative ability'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say someone is 'very creative', use 很有创意 (hěn yǒu chuàngyì) rather than placing an adverb directly before the phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
yǒu chuàngyì
Did you know?
- The character 创 (chuàng) in 创意 originally depicted a weapon used for wounding or piercing. Over time, its meaning evolved from 'breaking' or 'starting' to 'creating' something new.
- The phrase 富有 (fùyǒu) used in 富有创造力 literally means 'to be wealthy'. This frames a creative person as being 'rich' in a mental resource.
- In Chinese, the concept of 'creative' is often linked to the word 创 (chuàng), which historically implies 'to begin' or 'to start' something new from nothing.
Examples in context
- 汤姆有很多有创意的主意。Tom has a lot of creative ideas.This sentence shows how to use 有创意 to describe ideas.Tatoeba #9409468 by BobbyLee, translation #8854295 by CK
- 那个公司以它的创新精神和创造性而闻名。That company is renowned for its innovative spirit and creativity.
- 我觉得你布置的作业有点儿创意。I think the homework you assigned has a bit of creativity to it.
- 他在科学领域做了很多有创造力的研究。He has conducted a lot of creative research in the field of science.
- 这幅画真的很有创意，我喜欢。This painting is really creative, I like it.
- 这个设计非常有创意。Zhège shèjì fēicháng yǒu chuàngyì.This design is very creative.
- 我们需要一些有创意的方案。Wǒmen xūyào yīxiē yǒu chuàngyì de fāng'àn.We need some creative solutions.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a new marketing campaign in an office.
- 雨婷 Yuting你觉得这个广告有创意吗？Nǐ juédé zhège guǎnggào yǒu chuàngyì ma?Do you think this advertisement is creative?
- 俊杰 Junjie我觉得很有创意。Wǒ juédé hěn yǒu chuàngyì.I think it is very creative.
- 雨婷 Yuting我也这么认为。Wǒ yě zhème rènwéi.I think so too.
- 俊杰 Junjie雨婷，你的想法也很棒。Yǔtíng, nǐ de xiǎngfǎ yě hěn bàng.Yuting, your ideas are also great.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
