Meaning of 幻想
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to fantasize; to imagine
- an illusion; a fantasy
How to use 幻想
幻想 works as a verb (to fantasize) and as a noun (a fantasy or illusion). As a noun it often carries a sense that the idea is unrealistic, as in 不要有幻想 (don't hold illusions). Example: 他常常幻想自己成为明星。(Tā chángcháng huànxiǎng zìjǐ chéngwéi míngxīng.) He often fantasizes about becoming a star.
幻 (huàn) means unreal or illusory, and 想 (xiǎng) means to think. Thinking about something unreal gives you 幻想, a fantasy or illusion.
Common mistake: Learners often use 幻想 where 想象 (xiǎngxiàng) fits better. 想象 is neutral imagining, while 幻想 usually suggests something unrealistic, so 发挥想象 (use your imagination) should not become 发挥幻想. Also do not mix up 幻 (huàn) with 幼 (yòu, young), which looks similar.
幻想 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.
幻 huàn · fantasy · 4 strokes
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想 xiǎng · to think · 13 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 幻想.
| 想法 | xiǎngfǎ | way of thinking; opinion; notion; to think of a way (to do sth) |
| 想到 | xiǎngdào | to think of; to call to mind |
| 想起 | xiǎngqǐ | to recall; to think of |
| 理想 | lǐxiǎng | an ideal; a dream |
| 思想 | sīxiǎng | thought; thinking |
| 想象 | xiǎngxiàng | to imagine; to envision; imagination |
| 梦想 | mèngxiǎng | (fig.) to dream of; dream |
| 没想到 | méi xiǎngdào | didn't expect |
| 想念 | xiǎngniàn | to miss; to remember with longing |
| 感想 | gǎnxiǎng | impressions; reflections |
| 设想 | shèxiǎng | to imagine; to assume |
| 联想 | liánxiǎng | to associate (cognitively); to make an associative connection |
Questions about 幻想
What does 幻想 mean?
幻想 (huànxiǎng) means "to fantasize; to imagine; an illusion; a fantasy" and is used as a verb and noun.
How do you write 幻想?
幻想 is made of 2 characters: 幻 (4 strokes), 想 (13 strokes). That is 17 strokes in total.
Is 幻想 an HSK word?
Yes. 幻想 is on the HSK 6 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
Is 幻想 negative in Chinese?
Often, yes. When it means an illusion, it implies the hope will not come true, as in 对他不抱幻想 (to have no illusions about him). In contexts like 幻想小说 (fantasy fiction) it is neutral.
How is 幻想 different from 理想?
理想 (lǐxiǎng) is an ideal or goal you can realistically work toward. 幻想 is a dream that is detached from reality or unlikely to happen.