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
Discussing ideas and solutions may involve these phrases:
- 好 主意！Good idea!
- 想 主意to think of ideas
- 出 主意to come up with an idea
- 有 主意to have an idea
- 没 主意to have no ideas
- 改变 主意to change one's mindlit. "to change one's idea"
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 this is a great idea.
- 他们 对 我 的 主意 感兴趣。They are 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。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 on this matter. Think it over some more yourself!
- 我 不 知道 应该 怎么 做 。 你 帮 我 出 一 个 主意 吧！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 改 主意 了。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.
- 这 是 我 的 想法，大家 觉得 怎么样？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。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。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。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. It's completely impossible.
- 你 可以 简单 地 说 一下 你 的 想法 吗？Can you just simply explain your idea?
- 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。On this issue, the British and the Americans have very different ideas.
