Comparing "xiangfa" and "zhuyi"

想法 (xiǎngfǎ) and 注意 (zhǔyi) are both nouns that are often translated as "idea." 想法 is used more in informal settings, whereas 注意 is used in both informal and formal settings. 想法 is more of a thought or opinion, whereas 注意 is the classic "idea" (think "good idea!" as in a response to a plan that someone else proposes).

B1HSK4ASV4567

	想法 (xiǎngfǎ)	主意 (zhǔyi)
Meaning	thought, opinion	idea
Part of Speech	noun	noun
Formality	informal	flexible

:Yes

Use 主意 (zhǔyi) for the classic "good idea"

Think of the friend who says, “let’s go out tonight” and you respond, “good idea!” This one is going to be used a lot in brainstorming sessions as well.

Common Phrases

• 好 主意！Hǎo zhúyi ！Good idea!

Discussing ideas and solutions may also involve these other phrases:

• 出 主意chū zhúyito come up with an idea
• 想 主意xiǎng zhúyito think of ideas
• 有 主意yǒu zhúyito have an idea
• 没 主意méi zhúyino ideas

Example Sentences

• 这是一个好 主意。Zhè shì yī gè hǎo zhúyi.It's a good idea.
• 我觉得这个 主意 太好了。Wǒ juéde zhège zhúyi tài hǎo le.I think it's a great idea.
• 他们对我的 主意 感兴趣。Tāmen duì wǒ de zhúyi gǎnxìngqù.They were interested in my idea.
• 她为什么改变 主意 了？Tā wèishénme gǎibiàn zhúyi le?Why did she change her mind?
• 你有没有 主意 了? 说给大家听听。Nǐ yǒuméiyǒu zhúyi ？ Shuō gěi dàjiā tīngtīng.Do you have an idea? Tell us all about it.
• 他想了很多 主意，但是都不行。Tā xiǎng le hěn duō zhúyi, dànshì dōu bù xíng.He's thought of a lot of ideas, but none of them work.
• 我有 主意 了，我待会儿告诉你。Wǒ yǒu zhúyi le, wǒ dāihuìr gàosu nǐ.I've got an idea, I'll tell you later.

Use 想法 (xiǎngfǎ) to say "thoughts" or "opinion"

想法 is less of a light bulb moment, and can be more complex. If you're discussing your views on race relations in the USA, or pros and cons of various possible vacation possibilities, these are 想法.

Common Phrases

• 我的 想法wǒ de xiǎngfǎmy thoughts
• 这个 想法zhège xiǎngfǎthis idea
• 好 想法hǎo xiǎngfǎgood idea

Sources and further reading

Websites

主意是什么意思 http://www.ichacha.net/hy/%E4%B8%BB%E6%84%8F.html

想法 http://www.cihai123.com/cidian/1069353.html