(xiǎng fǎ) - idea, thought, opinion, view in Mandarin
xiǎngfǎTraditional: 想法
Translation
idea, thought, opinion, view
Word origin
A two-character compound meaning idea or thought. 想 (xiǎng) 'to think' joins 法 (fǎ) 'method, way', literally 'way of thinking'. 法 has the 氵 'water' radical.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 想 (xiǎng, 'to think') + 法 (fǎ, 'method/way')
Stroke order
想
法
Examples
？
Do you have any ideas?
。
I'd like to share my thoughts.
。
I agree with your idea.
。
Your idea is very interesting.
。
Let's exchange ideas.
想法 (xiǎng fǎ) means an idea, thought, or opinion - the content of what one thinks. 想 means to think and 法 here means way or method, so 想法 is literally a way of thinking. It refers to specific ideas or views (有什么想法, have any ideas?) rather than the abstract capacity to think (思想, sī xiǎng). Common phrases: 分享想法 (share ideas), 好想法 (good idea), 奇怪的想法 (a strange notion). It is close in meaning to 主意 (a plan/idea) but focuses more on the thought itself.
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Go to my review queueThis word is part of lesson 13.