How to say “idea” in Chinese

想法
xiǎngfǎ

idea, thought

noun · HSK 4 · topic “Politeness and conversation”

“Idea” in Chinese is 想法, xiǎng fǎ: the meaning, a recording of how it sounds, the characters stroke by stroke and examples.

How to pronounce it

想法 is read xiǎng fǎ: 2 syllables. The tone is part of the word: with another melody you get another word, or just a jumble of sounds.

xiǎng — 3rd tonelow, dipping and rising a little
fǎ — 3rd tonelow, dipping and rising a little

Two third tones in a row: the first one is said as a second tone, but it is still written as a third.

How to write it

想
xiǎng — want, think

Below, 心 “heart”.

法
fǎ — law; method

On the left, 氵 “water”; on the right, 去 “go away”.

Strokes go in order: top to bottom and left to right, horizontal before vertical. Tap a character to open its page, with the strokes shown large and the words it appears in. To train your hand, print a handwriting sheet for “想法”.

Examples

Sentences from the course lessons with 想法. Tap the sound icon to listen.

  • 这个想法不错zhègexiǎngfǎbúcuòGood idea!
  • 这个想法很大胆zhègexiǎngfǎhěndàdǎnThat's a very bold idea.
  • 这只是我的初步想法。zhèzhǐshìwǒdechūbùxiǎngfǎThese are just my preliminary thoughts for now.
  • 不要随便猜测别人的想法búyàosuíbiàncāicèbiéréndexiǎngfǎDon't just guess at what other people think.
  • 他把真实的想法隐藏在心底tābǎzhēnshídexiǎngfǎyǐncángzàixīndǐHe keeps his true thoughts hidden deep inside.

More words from the lesson “Your opinion”

Look up another word in the Chinese–English dictionary: in English, in pinyin or in characters.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “idea” in Chinese?

“Idea” in Chinese is 想法, pinyin xiǎngfǎ.

What does 想法 mean?

想法 (xiǎngfǎ) means “idea, thought”.

How do you write 想法?

想法 is 2 characters: 想 (xiǎng) — want, think; 法 (fǎ) — law; method. The stroke order of each one is shown step by step on this page.

How do you pronounce 想法?

想法 is read xiǎngfǎ. Tones: xiǎng — third tone, fǎ — third tone. The page has a native speaker recording.

“idea” in the lesson “Your opinion”

This word is from the topic “Politeness and conversation” of HSK 4. In the lesson you hear it in a dialogue, build a sentence with it and say it out loud. Start for free, no sign-up needed.

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