sixiang: 思想 - Thought, Ideology, Mindset

• Keywords: sixiang, 思想, Chinese word for thought, Chinese ideology, Chinese philosophy, Mao Zedong thought, Xi Jinping Thought, what does sixiang mean, how to use sixiang, Chinese political thought, learn Chinese thought, 想法 vs 思想.
• Summary: A comprehensive guide to the Chinese word 思想 (sīxiǎng). This page explores its core meaning, from a personal “mindset” to a national “ideology.” Learn how 思想 (sīxiǎng) is central to understanding Chinese philosophy, political discourse like “Mao Zedong Thought,” and modern daily conversation. We'll break down the characters, provide practical examples, and clarify common confusion with similar words like 想法 (xiǎngfǎ).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): sīxiǎng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A system of thought, an ideology, a philosophy, or a particular way of thinking.
• In a Nutshell: 思想 (sīxiǎng) is a “heavy” word for thought. It's not a fleeting idea you have about what to eat for lunch. Instead, it refers to a structured, deep, and often formal set of beliefs or way of thinking. Think of it as the difference between “an idea” and “an ideology.” It can describe a person's entire mindset, a philosophical school (like Confucianism), or the official political doctrine of a country.

• 思 (sī): To think, contemplate, or ponder. The character is composed of 田 (tián - field) on top and 心 (xīn - heart/mind) on the bottom. It paints a picture of the mind working over a “field” of information, suggesting deep, sustained contemplation.
• 想 (xiǎng): To think, want, or miss. This character combines 相 (xiāng - mutual/appearance) and 心 (xīn - heart/mind). It relates to the mind forming a mental image, a desire, or a feeling.
• How they combine: Putting the contemplative 思 (sī) together with the mental action 想 (xiǎng) creates 思想 (sīxiǎng), a noun that represents the result of deep thinking: a structured “thought,” “mindset,” or “ideology.” It's the framework that shapes how we think.

思想 (sīxiǎng) is one of the most culturally loaded terms in the Chinese language, sitting at the intersection of personal philosophy and national politics. In the West, “ideology” often carries a slightly negative or rigid connotation. In China, having a unified 思想 (sīxiǎng) is traditionally seen as a source of strength, stability, and collective purpose. From ancient times, major philosophical schools were referred to using this term, such as 儒家思想 (Rújiā sīxiǎng) - Confucian Thought. In modern China, its significance is amplified by its central role in politics. The official state doctrines are named using 思想, most famously:

• 毛泽东思想 (Máo Zédōng Sīxiǎng) - Mao Zedong Thought
• 习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想 (Xí Jìnpíng Xīn Shídài Zhōngguó Tèsè Shèhuìzhǔyì Sīxiǎng) - Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era

This usage elevates 思想 to the level of a foundational national philosophy. For a learner, understanding this word is a key to unlocking Chinese news, political discussions, and historical perspectives. It's a far more weighty concept than its English counterpart “thought.” Comparing it to “networking” for 关系 (guānxi), comparing 思想 (sīxiǎng) to “idea” is a massive oversimplification. It's closer to “philosophy” or “doctrine.”

While it has a formal and political weight, 思想 is also used in everyday life to describe a person's general mindset or way of thinking.

• Describing a Person's Mindset: It's often used with adjectives to describe someone's mental framework.
  • 思想保守 (sīxiǎng bǎoshǒu): conservative thinking; old-fashioned
  • 思想开放 (sīxiǎng kāifàng): open-minded
  • 思想成熟 (sīxiǎng chéngshú): mature thinking
• In Formal/Academic Contexts: It refers to the main idea or school of thought.
  • “The central thought of this book is…” (这本书的中心思想是…)
• In Personal Reflection: It can refer to one's own mental or emotional state, but in a serious way.
  • “Recently, I've had some ideological/mental baggage.” (我最近思想包袱很重。) This implies a serious mental block or worry, not just a bad mood.
• Workplace/Education: A manager or teacher might talk about the need to “unify thinking” (统一思想 tǒngyī sīxiǎng) to get everyone on the same page for a project. A teacher might criticize a student's problematic way of thinking (你的思想有问题), which is a very serious criticism.

• Example 1:
  • 我们需要一个思想更开放的领导。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào yīgè sīxiǎng gèng kāifàng de lǐngdǎo.
  • English: We need a leader with a more open-minded way of thinking.
  • Analysis: Here, 思想 refers to a person's entire mindset or outlook. It's a common way to describe someone's general character.
• Example 2:
  • 这本书的中心思想是爱与和平。
  • Pinyin: Zhè běn shū de zhōngxīn sīxiǎng shì ài yǔ hépíng.
  • English: The central theme/idea of this book is love and peace.
  • Analysis: In this context, 思想 means the core message or philosophy of a work. It is more formal than 想法 (xiǎngfǎ).
• Example 3:
  • 他的思想很传统，接受不了新事物。
  • Pinyin: Tā de sīxiǎng hěn chuántǒng, jiēshòu bùliǎo xīn shìwù.
  • English: His mindset is very traditional; he can't accept new things.
  • Analysis: 思想 is used here to describe a person's ingrained worldview. 传统 (chuántǒng) means “traditional.”
• Example 4:
  • 每个中国学生都要学习毛泽东思想。
  • Pinyin: Měi gè Zhōngguó xuéshēng dōu yào xuéxí Máo Zédōng sīxiǎng.
  • English: Every Chinese student must study Mao Zedong Thought.
  • Analysis: This shows the critical political use of 思想 to mean a complete ideology or doctrine.
• Example 5:
  • 你要转变一下你的旧思想了。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yào zhuǎnbiàn yīxià nǐ de jiù sīxiǎng le.
  • English: You need to change your old ways of thinking.
  • Analysis: This is a common phrase encouraging someone to update their outdated mindset. It's direct and can be critical.
• Example 6:
  • 自由思想是社会进步的基础。
  • Pinyin: Zìyóu sīxiǎng shì shèhuì jìnbù de jīchǔ.
  • English: Freedom of thought is the foundation of social progress.
  • Analysis: Here, 思想 takes on the abstract meaning of “thought” in a philosophical sense.
• Example 7:
  • 公司需要统一思想，才能渡过难关。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī xūyào tǒngyī sīxiǎng, cáinéng dùguò nánguān.
  • English: The company needs to unify its thinking (get on the same page) in order to get through this difficult time.
  • Analysis: 统一思想 (tǒngyī sīxiǎng) is a common set phrase in business and politics, meaning “to align everyone's thinking/goals.”
• Example 8:
  • 封建思想严重束缚了女性。
  • Pinyin: Fēngjiàn sīxiǎng yánzhòng shùfù le nǚxìng.
  • English: Feudal ideology severely constrained women.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how 思想 is used to label historical or social mindsets, in this case, a negative one.
• Example 9:
  • 他是一个有思想的年轻人。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yīgè yǒu sīxiǎng de niánqīngrén.
  • English: He is a young person with depth/ideas.
  • Analysis: Saying someone 有思想 (yǒu sīxiǎng) is a high compliment. It means they are a deep thinker, not superficial.
• Example 10:
  • 我最近思想压力很大，总是睡不好。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuìjìn sīxiǎng yālì hěn dà, zǒngshì shuì bù hǎo.
  • English: I've been under a lot of mental pressure lately and can't sleep well.
  • Analysis: 思想压力 (sīxiǎng yālì) refers to mental or psychological stress, often from overthinking or worrying about serious issues.

• 思想 (sīxiǎng) vs. 想法 (xiǎngfǎ): This is the most critical distinction.
  • 思想 (sīxiǎng): A system of thought, an ideology, a mindset. It's broad, deep, and formal. (e.g., Confucian thought).
  • 想法 (xiǎngfǎ): A specific idea, opinion, or plan. It's concrete, singular, and casual. (e.g., I have an idea!).
  • Incorrect: ~~你对这个项目有什么思想？~~ (Nǐ duì zhège xiàngmù yǒu shénme sīxiǎng?)
  • Correct: 你对这个项目有什么想法？ (Nǐ duì zhège xiàngmù yǒu shénme xiǎngfǎ?) → What are your ideas/thoughts on this project?
• 思想 (sīxiǎng) vs. 想 (xiǎng):
  • 思想 (sīxiǎng): Noun. “Thought / ideology.”
  • 想 (xiǎng): Verb. “To think / to want / to miss.”
  • Incorrect: ~~我思想去北京。~~ (Wǒ sīxiǎng qù Běijīng.)
  • Correct: 我想去北京。 (Wǒ xiǎng qù Běijīng.) → I want to go to Beijing.

• 想法 (xiǎngfǎ) - A specific idea or opinion. Much more common and casual than 思想.
• 思考 (sīkǎo) - The verb for deep thinking or pondering. It is the action that produces 思想.
• 观念 (guānniàn) - A concept, notion, or viewpoint on a specific topic (e.g., 消费观念 - views on consumption). Less all-encompassing than 思想.
• 理念 (lǐniàn) - An ideal, a guiding principle, or a philosophy, often used in a business or organizational context (e.g., 经营理念 - business philosophy).
• 主义 (zhǔyì) - Suffix for “-ism,” as in 资本主义 (zīběnzhǔyì - capitalism). Refers to a specific, named ideology.
• 哲学 (zhéxué) - The formal academic discipline of philosophy.
• 意识 (yìshí) - Consciousness or awareness. Can also refer to a specific mindset, like 法律意识 (fǎlǜ yìshí - legal awareness).
• 头脑 (tóunǎo) - Literally “brain,” but often used to mean “mind” in the sense of intellect or cleverness (e.g., 他很有头脑 - He's very sharp/clever).