Comparing "xiangfa" and "zhuyi"

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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

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