Meaning of 主意
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- plan
- idea
- decision
- Beijing pr. [zhu2 yi5]
Measure word: 個|个
How to use 主意
主意 is a common spoken word for a plan or idea, often with verbs like 有 (yǒu), 出 (chū), or 拿 (ná). It also appears in set phrases like 好主意 (hǎo zhǔyi), meaning good idea. Example: 这是个好主意。(Zhè shì ge hǎo zhǔyi.) That is a good idea.
主 (zhǔ) means master or main, and 意 (yì) means thought or intention. A 主意 is the main thought you are master of, your plan or decision.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 主意 (zhǔyi) with 注意 (zhùyì), which means to pay attention. They sound close but differ in tone and meaning, and 注 has the water radical.
主意 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
主 zhǔ · owner · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
意 yì · thought · 13 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
Related words
Words that share a character with 主意.
| 意思 | yìsi | idea; opinion |
| 愿意 | yuànyì | to wish; to want |
| 不好意思 | bù hǎoyìsi | to feel embarrassed; to find it embarrassing |
| 主人 | zhǔrén | owner; host |
| 有意思 | yǒu yìsi | interesting; meaningful |
| 意见 | yìjiàn | idea; opinion |
| 主要 | zhǔyào | main; principal; major; primary |
| 满意 | mǎnyì | satisfied; pleased |
| 故意 | gùyì | deliberately; on purpose |
| 注意 | zhùyì | to take note of; to pay attention to |
| 同意 | tóngyì | to agree; to consent |
| 生意 | shēngyi | life force; vitality |
Questions about 主意
What does 主意 mean?
主意 (zhǔyi) means "plan; idea" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 主意?
主意 is made of 2 characters: 主 (5 strokes), 意 (13 strokes). That is 18 strokes in total.
Is 主意 an HSK word?
Yes. 主意 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
Is 主意 pronounced zhǔyi or zhúyi?
The standard reading is zhǔyi, with a neutral tone on 意. In Beijing speech it is often said as zhúyi. Both are understood.
What is the difference between 主意 and 意见?
主意 is a plan or idea for what to do, like a solution. 意见 (yìjiàn) is an opinion or view, and it can also mean a complaint. You give 意见 about something, but you come up with a 主意 to solve it.