Meaning of 理想
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- an ideal
- a dream
- ideal
- perfect
How to use 理想
理想 is used as a noun for a life goal or dream, and also as an adjective meaning ideal or satisfactory, often with 不 to say something is not good enough. Example: 我的理想是当医生。(Wǒ de lǐxiǎng shì dāng yīshēng.) My dream is to become a doctor.
理 (lǐ) means reason or order, and 想 (xiǎng) means to think. An ideal is what you think about when you reason out the best possible version of your life.
Common mistake: Learners often use 理想 for night dreams, but that is 梦 (mèng) or 做梦 (zuò mèng); 理想 is only a life goal or ideal. Also keep the tones straight: both syllables are third tone, so in speech 理 changes to a rising tone, sounding like lí xiǎng.
理想 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.
理 lǐ · texture · 11 strokes
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想 xiǎng · to think · 13 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 理想.
| 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 |
| 道理 | dàolǐ | reason; argument |
| 经理 | jīnglǐ | manager; director |
| 处理 | chǔlǐ | to handle; to deal with; to punish |
| 理解 | lǐjiě | to comprehend; to understand |
| 理由 | lǐyóu | reason; grounds |
| 理论 | lǐlùn | theory; to argue |
| 管理 | guǎnlǐ | to supervise; to manage |
| 思想 | sīxiǎng | thought; thinking |
| 整理 | zhěnglǐ | to arrange; to tidy up |
Questions about 理想
What does 理想 mean?
理想 (lǐxiǎng) means "an ideal; a dream" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 理想?
理想 is made of 2 characters: 理 (11 strokes), 想 (13 strokes). That is 24 strokes in total.
Is 理想 an HSK word?
Yes. 理想 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 理想 and 梦想?
梦想 (mèngxiǎng) feels more emotional and can be a bold or far-off dream. 理想 sounds more serious and is often a realistic long-term goal or a principle you believe in.
How do I use 理想 to say something is ideal?
Put it before a noun with 的 or use it as a predicate. For example, 这个结果不太理想 (zhège jiéguǒ bú tài lǐxiǎng) means this result is not very satisfactory, and 理想的工作 (lǐxiǎng de gōngzuò) means an ideal job.