Meaning of 思维
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- (line of) thought; thinking
How to use 思维
思维 is a noun for a way or pattern of thinking, often used with words like 方式 (fāngshì, way) or 能力 (nénglì, ability). It sounds a bit formal and is common in education, psychology, and business. Example: 他的思维很清楚。(Tā de sīwéi hěn qīngchu.) His thinking is very clear.
思 (sī) shows a field 田 over a heart 心, so picture your heart and mind working a field of ideas. 维 (wéi) means to hold or tie together, so 思维 is the way your thoughts are tied into a line of thinking.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 思维 with 思想 (sīxiǎng). 思维 is the process or style of thinking, while 思想 is the content of thought, such as ideas or ideology. Also keep 维 in second tone (wéi), not third.
思维 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.
思 sī · to think · 9 strokes
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维 wéi · to preserve · 11 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 思维.
| 意思 | yìsi | idea; opinion |
| 不好意思 | bù hǎoyìsi | to feel embarrassed; to find it embarrassing |
| 有意思 | yǒu yìsi | interesting; meaningful |
| 思想 | sīxiǎng | thought; thinking |
| 思考 | sīkǎo | to reflect on; to ponder over |
| 维持 | wéichí | to keep; to maintain; to preserve |
| 维护 | wéihù | to defend; to safeguard |
| 维修 | wéixiū | maintenance (of equipment); to protect and maintain |
| 二维码 | èrwéimǎ | 2D barcode; matrix code; (esp.) QR code |
| 维生素 | wéishēngsù | vitamin |
| 不可思议 | bùkě-sīyì | (idiom) inconceivable; unimaginable; unfathomable |
| 心思 | xīnsi | mind; thoughts |
Questions about 思维
What does 思维 mean?
思维 (sīwéi) means "(line of) thought; thinking" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 思维?
思维 is made of 2 characters: 思 (9 strokes), 维 (11 strokes). That is 20 strokes in total.
Is 思维 an HSK word?
Yes. 思维 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 思维 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 思维 is written 思維.
How do you say "critical thinking" or "way of thinking" in Chinese?
"Critical thinking" is 批判性思维 (pīpànxìng sīwéi). "Way of thinking" is 思维方式 (sīwéi fāngshì). Both are common in school and work settings.
Can 思维 be used as a verb meaning "to think"?
In everyday speech, no. Use 想 (xiǎng) or 思考 (sīkǎo) for the action of thinking, and use 思维 as the noun for the thinking itself.