想
xiǎng/ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴/
The English verb 'think' can be translated into Chinese as 想 (xiǎng). Wiktionary also lists 思考 (sīkǎo).
Meaning: communicate to oneself in one’s mind (verb)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 想 | xiǎng | /ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /ɕiaŋ⁵³/ (Mandarin, Chengdu, Sinological IPA) |
| 思考 | sīkǎo | /sɹ̩⁵⁵ kʰɑʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /siː⁵⁵ haːu̯³⁵/ (Cantonese, Guangzhou, Sinological IPA, Standard Cantonese, Hong Kong) |
The primary way to express the act of communicating to oneself in one's mind is using 想. This word is highly polysemous and, depending on the context, can also mean 'to want' or 'to miss (someone)'. To express a subjective opinion or a feeling, such as 'I think this is good', speakers often use 觉得 instead of 想.
Which one should you use?
While 想 is used for everyday thoughts or opinions, 思考 refers to a more formal, deep or systematic process of thinking or contemplating.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form нян is used in Dungan.
How does it change in a sentence?
Reduplicating the verb as 想一想 softens the tone and implies a brief period of consideration. This is often used when someone asks for your opinion or a decision.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is xiǎng and the IPA is /ɕi̯ɑŋ²¹⁴/.
Did you know?
- The form нян is used by the Dungan people, a group that speaks a Chinese-based language but uses the Cyrillic alphabet due to historical Soviet influence.
- The character 想 is a phono-semantic compound containing the radical for 'heart' or 'mind', 心, which visually suggests that thinking is a process rooted in the heart.
- The word 想 is used to express that you 'miss' someone, suggesting that to miss a person is essentially to 'think' about them deeply.
Examples in context
- 我也这么想。I think so, too.This sentence is useful for expressing agreement with a thought using 想.Tatoeba #440005 by GlossaMatik, translation #262339 by CK
- 让我想一想。Let me think about it.This sentence is useful for requesting a brief period of consideration using 想.Tatoeba #707208 by Yashanti, translation #869514 by CK
- 讓我想一想。Let me think a minute.This sentence is useful for requesting a moment to think using 想.Tatoeba #4504253 by egg0073, translation #1860613 by CK
- 我认为这是个好主意。I think this is a good idea.
- 我觉得这个问题很复杂。I think this problem is complicated.
- 我觉得你说的有道理。I think what you said makes sense.
- 我而家觉得成件事好似唔係咁简单。I think this matter is not that simple.
- 266 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你想吃什么？Nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?What are you thinking of eating?
- 梓涵 Zihan我在想吃面条。Wǒ zài xiǎng chī miàntiáo.I'm thinking about eating noodles.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我也在想吃面。Wǒ yě zài xiǎng chī miàn.I was thinking of noodles too.
- 梓涵 Zihan那我们一起去吧。Nà wǒmen yīqǐ qù ba.Then let's go together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “think” translations and entries 想, 思考, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 想, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
