Difference between revisions of "Comparing "xiangfa" and "zhuyi""

(Created page with "想法 and 注意 both are nouns that can be confusing because both are often translated as “idea”. Yet, upon closer look, this is not entirely correct, as these two words...")
 
 
(40 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
想法 and 注意 both are nouns that can be confusing because both are often translated as “idea”. Yet, upon closer look, this is not entirely correct, as these two words are very different. First of, 想法 is used in informal settings, whereas 注意 is used in informal/formal settings. As well, 想法 is a thought or opinion, whereas 注意 is the classic “idea” (good or bad, as in a response to a plan that someone else proposes), or a solution or method to solve some problem.
+
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).
  
<table class="table table-bordered table-striped">
+
{{SimilarWordsCol1|想法|xiǎngfǎ|thought, opinion|noun|informal}}
<tr>
+
{{SimilarWordsCol2|主意|zhǔyi|idea|noun|flexible}}
<th style="width:24%"> </th>
+
{{SimilarWordsPageInfo|B1|HSK4|ASV4567}}
<th style="width:33%">想法 (xiǎngfǎ)</th>
+
{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
<th style="width:33%">注意 (zhǔyi)</th>
 
</tr>
 
<tr>
 
<th>Meaning</th><td>thought or opinion</td><td class="liju">idea, solution, method</td>
 
</tr>
 
<tr>
 
<th>Part of Speech</th><td>noun</td><td class="liju">noun</td>
 
</tr>
 
<tr>
 
<th>Formality</th><td>informal</td><td class="liju">flexible</td>
 
</tr>
 
</table>
 
  
== To say “idea” in the sense of a response to a plan that someone else proposes to uses 主意. ==
+
== Use 主意 (zhǔyi) for the classic "good idea" ==
  
Think of the friend who says “let’s go out to dinner tomorrow” and you respond, “good idea, it’s been too long!”
+
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 ===
 
=== Common Phrases ===
 +
 +
Discussing ideas and solutions may involve these phrases:
  
 
<div class="liju dapei">
 
<div class="liju dapei">
 +
* 好 <em>主意</em>!<span class="pinyin">Hǎo <em>zhúyi</em>!</span><span class="trans">Good idea!</span>
 +
* 想 <em>主意</em><span class="pinyin">xiǎng <em>zhúyi</em></span><span class="trans">to think of ideas</span>
 +
* 出 <em>主意</em><span class="pinyin">chū <em>zhúyi</em></span><span class="trans">to come up with an idea</span>
 +
* 有 <em>主意</em><span class="pinyin">yǒu <em>zhúyi</em></span><span class="trans">to have an idea</span>
 +
* 没 <em>主意</em><span class="pinyin">méi <em>zhúyi</em></span><span class="trans">to have no ideas</span>
 +
* 改变 <em>主意</em><span class="pinyin">gǎibiàn <em>zhúyi</em></span><span class="trans">to change one's mind</span><span class="expl">lit. "to change one's idea"</span>
 +
</div>
 +
 +
=== Example Sentences ===
  
* 好主意!
+
<div class="liju">
 +
* 这 是 一 个 <strong>好</strong> <em>主意</em>。<span class="pinyin">Zhè shì yī gè <strong>hǎo</strong> <em>zhúyi</em>.</span><span class="trans">It's a good idea.</span>
 +
* 我 觉得 这个 <em>主意</em> 太 好 了。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ juéde zhège <em>zhúyi</em> tài hǎo le.</span><span class="trans">I think this is a great idea.</span>
 +
* 他们 对 我 的 <em>主意</em> 感兴趣。<span class="pinyin">Tāmen duì wǒ de <em>zhúyi</em> gǎnxìngqù.</span><span class="trans">They are interested in my idea.</span>
 +
* 她 为什么 <strong>改变</strong> <em>主意</em> 了 ?<span class="pinyin">Tā wèishénme <strong>gǎibiàn</strong> <em>zhúyi</em> le?</span><span class="trans">Why did she change her mind?</span>
 +
* 你 <strong>有</strong> <em>主意</em> 了? 说 给 大家 听听。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <strong>yǒu</strong> <em>zhúyi</em> le? Shuō gěi dàjiā tīngtīng.</span><span class="trans">You have an idea? Tell us all about it.</span>
 +
* 他 <strong>想</strong> 了 很 多 <em>主意</em>,但 是 都 不 行 。<span class="pinyin">Tā <strong>xiǎng</strong> le hěn duō <em>zhúyi</em>, dànshì dōu bù xíng.</span><span class="trans">He's thought of a lot of ideas, but none of them work.</span>
 +
* 我 <strong>有</strong> <em>主意</em> 了,我 待 会儿 告诉 你。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong>yǒu</strong> <em>zhúyi</em> le, wǒ dāihuìr gàosu nǐ.</span><span class="trans">I've got an idea. I'll tell you later.</span>
 +
* 对 这 件 事 我 <strong>没</strong> 什么 <em>主意</em>,你 自己 再 想想 吧!<span class="pinyin">Duì zhè jiàn shì wǒ <strong>méi</strong> shénme <em>zhúyi</em>, nǐ zìjǐ zài xiǎngxiǎng ba!</span><span class="trans">I don't have any ideas on this matter. Think it over some more yourself!</span>
 +
* 我 不 知道 应该 怎么 做 。 你 帮 我 <strong>出</strong> 一 个 <em>主意</em>  吧!<span class="pinyin">Wǒ bù zhīdào yīnggāi zěnme zuò. nǐ bāng wǒ <strong>chū</strong> yī gè <em>zhúyi</em> ba!</span><span class="trans">I don't know what I should do. Help me think of an idea!</span>
 +
* 上周 老板 同意 给 我 放假 , 但是 现在 <strong>改</strong> <em>主意</em> 了。<span class="pinyin">Shàngzhōu lǎobǎn tóngyì gěi wǒ fàngjià, dànshì xiànzài <strong>gǎi</strong> <em>zhúyi</em>  le.</span><span class="trans">Last week the boss agreed to give me time off, but now he's changed his mind.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== To say thought or opinion use 想法 ==
+
== Use 想法 (xiǎngfǎ) to say "thoughts" or "opinion" ==
  
Think of the friend who says “let’s go out to dinner tomorrow” and you respond, “good idea, it’s been too long!”
+
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 ===
 
=== Common Phrases ===
  
 
<div class="liju dapei">
 
<div class="liju dapei">
 
+
* 我的 <em>想法</em><span class="pinyin">wǒ de <em>xiǎngfǎ</em></span><span class="trans">my thoughts</span>
* 好主意!
+
* 这个 <em>想法</em><span class="pinyin">zhège <em>xiǎngfǎ</em></span><span class="trans">this idea</span>
 +
* 好 <em>想法</em><span class="pinyin">hǎo <em>xiǎngfǎ</em></span><span class="trans">good idea</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== To say to think of an “idea” or tell someone your thought out idea use 主意. ==
+
=== Example Sentences ===
  
=== Common Phrases ===
+
<div class="liju">
 
+
* 我们 觉得 你 的 这个 <em>想法</em> 很 好。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen juéde nǐ de zhège <em>xiǎngfǎ</em> hěn hǎo.</span><span class="trans">We think this is a great idea.</span>
<div class="liju dapei">
+
* 这 是 我 的 <em>想法</em>,大家 觉得 怎么样?<span class="pinyin">Zhè shì wǒ de <em>xiǎngfǎ</em>, dàjiā juéde zěnmeyàng?</span><span class="trans">Those are my thoughts. What do you all think?</span>
 
+
* 关于 这件 事 大家 有 什么 好 <em>想法</em> 吗? 每 个 人 都 想 一下。<span class="pinyin">Guānyú zhè jiàn shì dàjiā yǒu shénme hǎo <em>xiǎngfǎ</em> ma? měi gè rén dōu xiǎng yīxià.</span><span class="trans">Does anyone have any good ideas about this matter? Everyone think about it.</span>
* 出主意
+
* 在 这件 事 上,我 和 你 的 <em>想法</em> 相反。<span class="pinyin">Zài zhè jiàn shì shàng, wǒ hé nǐ de <em>xiǎngfǎ</em> xiāngfǎn.</span><span class="trans">On this matter, my thoughts are the opposite of yours.</span>
* 打主意
+
* 这 是 一 个 自私 的 <em>想法</em>,我 只 能 偷偷 地 想 一下。<span class="pinyin">Zhè shì yī gè zìsī de <em>xiǎngfǎ</em>, wǒ zhǐnéng tōutōu de xiǎng yīxià.</span><span class="trans">It's a selfish thought and I can only think about it in secret.</span>
* 拿主意
+
* 虽然 他 不 同意 我 的 <em>想法</em>,但是 最后 他 还是 勉强 同意 了。<span class="pinyin">Suīrán tā bù tóngyì wǒ de <em>xiǎngfǎ</em>, dànshì zuìhòu tā háishì miǎnqiǎng tóngyì le.</span><span class="trans">Although he didn't agree with my idea, he reluctantly agreed in the end.</span>
 +
* 这个 <em>想法</em> 太 离谱 了,根本 不 可能。<span class="pinyin">Zhège <em>xiǎngfǎ</em> tài lípǔ le, gēnběn bù kěnéng.</span><span class="trans">The idea is so outrageous. It's completely impossible.</span>
 +
* 你 可以 简单 地 说 一下 你 的 <em>想法</em> 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ kěyǐ jiǎndān de shuō yīxià nǐ de <em>xiǎngfǎ</em> ma?</span><span class="trans">Can you just simply explain your idea?</span>
 +
* 孩子 往往 不 会 隐藏 心里 的 真实 <em>想法</em> 。<span class="pinyin">Háizi wǎngwǎng bù huì yǐncáng xīnli de zhēnshí <em>xiǎngfǎ</em>.</span><span class="trans">Children often do not hide what is really in their hearts.</span>
 +
* 在 这个 问题 上,英国人 和 美国人 的 <em>想法</em> 非常 不 一样。<span class="pinyin">Zài zhège wèntí shàng, Yīngguórén hé Měiguórén de <em>xiǎngfǎ</em> fēicháng bù yīyàng.</span><span class="trans">On this issue, the British and the Americans have very different ideas.</span>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== To say a solution or method to solve some problem use 主意. ==
+
== Sources and further reading ==
  
=== Common Phrases ===
+
=== Books ===
  
<div class="liju dapei">
+
=== Websites ===
  
* 想主意
+
* [http://www.ichacha.net/hy/%E4%B8%BB%E6%84%8F.html 主意是什么意思]
* 有主意
+
* [http://www.cihai123.com/cidian/1069353.html 想法]
* 没主意
 
* 主意不错
 
</div>
 

Latest revision as of 09:11, 28 April 2022

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

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

Discussing ideas and solutions may involve these phrases:

  • 主意Hǎo zhúyi!Good idea!
  • 主意xiǎng zhúyito think of ideas
  • 主意chū zhúyito come up with an idea
  • 主意yǒu zhúyito have an idea
  • 主意méi zhúyito have no ideas
  • 改变 主意gǎibiàn zhúyito change one's mindlit. "to change one's idea"

Example Sentences

  • 这 是 一 个 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 this is a great idea.
  • 他们 对 我 的 主意 感兴趣。Tāmen duì wǒ de zhúyi gǎnxìngqù.They are interested in my idea.
  • 她 为什么 改变 主意 了 ?Tā wèishénme gǎibiàn zhúyi le?Why did she change her mind?
  • 主意 了? 说 给 大家 听听。yǒu zhúyi le? Shuō gěi dàjiā tīngtīng.You have an idea? Tell us all about it.
  • 了 很 多 主意,但 是 都 不 行 。xiǎng le hěn duō zhúyi, dànshì dōu bù xíng.He's thought of a lot of ideas, but none of them work.
  • 主意 了,我 待 会儿 告诉 你。yǒu zhúyi le, wǒ dāihuìr gàosu nǐ.I've got an idea. I'll tell you later.
  • 对 这 件 事 我 什么 主意,你 自己 再 想想 吧!Duì zhè jiàn shì wǒ méi shénme zhúyi, nǐ zìjǐ zài xiǎngxiǎng ba!I don't have any ideas on this matter. Think it over some more yourself!
  • 我 不 知道 应该 怎么 做 。 你 帮 我 一 个 主意 吧!Wǒ bù zhīdào yīnggāi zěnme zuò. nǐ bāng wǒ chū yī gè zhúyi ba!I don't know what I should do. Help me think of an idea!
  • 上周 老板 同意 给 我 放假 , 但是 现在 主意 了。Shàngzhōu lǎobǎn tóngyì gěi wǒ fàngjià, dànshì xiànzài gǎi zhúyi le.Last week the boss agreed to give me time off, but now he's changed his mind.

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
  • 想法hǎo xiǎngfǎgood idea

Example Sentences

  • 我们 觉得 你 的 这个 想法 很 好。Wǒmen juéde nǐ de zhège xiǎngfǎ hěn hǎo.We think this is a great idea.
  • 这 是 我 的 想法,大家 觉得 怎么样?Zhè shì wǒ de xiǎngfǎ, dàjiā juéde zěnmeyàng?Those are my thoughts. What do you all think?
  • 关于 这件 事 大家 有 什么 好 想法 吗? 每 个 人 都 想 一下。Guānyú zhè jiàn shì dàjiā yǒu shénme hǎo xiǎngfǎ ma? měi gè rén dōu xiǎng yīxià.Does anyone have any good ideas about this matter? Everyone think about it.
  • 在 这件 事 上,我 和 你 的 想法 相反。Zài zhè jiàn shì shàng, wǒ hé nǐ de xiǎngfǎ xiāngfǎn.On this matter, my thoughts are the opposite of yours.
  • 这 是 一 个 自私 的 想法,我 只 能 偷偷 地 想 一下。Zhè shì yī gè zìsī de xiǎngfǎ, wǒ zhǐnéng tōutōu de xiǎng yīxià.It's a selfish thought and I can only think about it in secret.
  • 虽然 他 不 同意 我 的 想法,但是 最后 他 还是 勉强 同意 了。Suīrán tā bù tóngyì wǒ de xiǎngfǎ, dànshì zuìhòu tā háishì miǎnqiǎng tóngyì le.Although he didn't agree with my idea, he reluctantly agreed in the end.
  • 这个 想法 太 离谱 了,根本 不 可能。Zhège xiǎngfǎ tài lípǔ le, gēnběn bù kěnéng.The idea is so outrageous. It's completely impossible.
  • 你 可以 简单 地 说 一下 你 的 想法 吗?Nǐ kěyǐ jiǎndān de shuō yīxià nǐ de xiǎngfǎ ma?Can you just simply explain your idea?
  • 孩子 往往 不 会 隐藏 心里 的 真实 想法Háizi wǎngwǎng bù huì yǐncáng xīnli de zhēnshí xiǎngfǎ.Children often do not hide what is really in their hearts.
  • 在 这个 问题 上,英国人 和 美国人 的 想法 非常 不 一样。Zài zhège wèntí shàng, Yīngguórén hé Měiguórén de xiǎngfǎ fēicháng bù yīyàng.On this issue, the British and the Americans have very different ideas.

Sources and further reading

Books

Websites