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).
| 想法 (xiǎngfǎ) | 主意 (zhǔyi) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | thought, opinion | idea |
| Part of Speech | noun | noun |
| Formality | informal | flexible |
Contents
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！Good idea!
Discussing ideas and solutions may also involve these other phrases:
- 出 主意to come up with an idea
- 想 主意to think of ideas
- 有 主意to have an idea
- 没 主意no ideas
Example Sentences
- 这 是 一 个 好 主意。It's a good idea.
- 我 觉得 这个 主意 太 好 了。I think it's a great idea.
- 他们 对 我 的 主意 感兴趣。They were interested in my idea.
- 她 为什么 改变 主意 了？Why did she change her mind?
- 你 有 主意 了? 说 给 大家 听听。Do you have an idea? Tell us all about it.
- 他想了很多 主意，但是都不行。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。I've got an idea, I'll tell you later.
- 对 这件 事 我 没 什么 主意，你 自己 再 想想 吧！I don't have any ideas about this, think about it yourself!
- 我 不 知道 应该 怎么 做？你 帮 我 出 一 个 主意 吧！I don't have any ideas about this, think about it yourself!
- 上周 老板 同意 给 我 放假，但是 现在 改 主意 了。Last week my 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my thoughts
- 这个 想法this idea
- 好 想法good idea
Example Sentences
- 我们 觉得 你 的 这个 想法 很 好。We think this is a great idea you have.
- 这 是 我 的 想法，大家 觉得 怎么样？Here 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。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。I am the opposite of you in this matter.
- 这 是 一 个 自私 的 想法，我 只 能 偷偷 地 想 一下。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。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。The idea is so outrageous that it's impossible.
- 你 可以 简单 地 说 一下 你 的 想法 吗？Can you simply say what you think?
- 孩子 往往 不 会 隐藏 心 里 的 真实 想法 。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。The British and the Americans think very differently on this issue.
