In 15 Sekunden
- A polite way to say 'I haven't decided yet.'
- Perfect for buying time in restaurants or social situations.
- Shows you are actively considering your options.
Bedeutung
This is your go-to phrase for when you're on the spot but haven't made up your mind yet. It literally means you haven't finished the process of thinking through a decision.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Ordering food at a busy restaurant
不好意思，我还没想好，您先给他们点吧。
Sorry, I haven't decided yet, please take their order first.
A friend asking about holiday plans
去哪儿旅游？我还没想好呢。
Where to travel? I haven't decided yet.
In a professional meeting about a proposal
关于这个方案，我还没想好怎么回复。
Regarding this proposal, I haven't decided how to respond yet.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Chinese social dynamics, being 'deliberate' is often seen as a sign of maturity. Using this phrase suggests you are weighing options carefully rather than being impulsive. It is a common 'polite stall' used to avoid immediate commitment without causing offense.
Add a 'Ne' for Softness
Adding `呢` (ne) at the end—`还没想好呢`—makes you sound much more relaxed and less stressed by the decision.
Don't confuse with 'Xiǎng bù hǎo'
Saying `想不好` implies you are incapable of making a good decision, whereas `还没想好` just means you need more time.
In 15 Sekunden
- A polite way to say 'I haven't decided yet.'
- Perfect for buying time in restaurants or social situations.
- Shows you are actively considering your options.
What It Means
还没想好 is the ultimate safety net for the indecisive. It combines 还 (still), 没 (not), and 想好 (to have thought something through to a conclusion). It implies that the thinking process is active but incomplete. You aren't saying 'no.' You are saying 'not yet.' It is softer and more active than just saying you don't know.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase as a standalone answer or at the start of a sentence. If a waiter is hovering, just say 还没想好. If a friend asks about your weekend plans, it works perfectly there too. It is incredibly flexible because it doesn't sound lazy. It sounds like you are actually giving the matter some serious thought.
When To Use It
Use it when you feel the pressure of a choice. At a bubble tea shop with fifty toppings? 还没想好. When your boss asks for a project deadline you haven't calculated? 还没想好. It buys you time and social grace. It is especially useful in texting when someone asks for a commitment you aren't ready to make.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this if a 'yes' or 'no' is legally or professionally required immediately. Don't use it at the altar during a wedding—that would be a disaster! Also, if someone asks for a factual piece of information, like 'Where is the bathroom?', saying 还没想好 makes no sense. It only applies to choices and opinions, not facts.
Cultural Background
Chinese culture often values 'mianzi' or saving face. Saying a flat 'no' can sometimes feel too harsh or abrupt. 还没想好 is a polite buffer. It keeps the door open for future possibilities. It shows you are being deliberate and careful, which are respected traits. It’s the linguistic equivalent of a 'loading' bar on a computer screen.
Common Variations
You might hear 还没决定 (hái méi juédìng) which is a bit more formal. For a very casual vibe, some people just say 还没呢 (hái méi ne). If you want to sound more profound, you could say 我再想想 (wǒ zài xiǎng xiǎng), which means 'I'll think about it some more.' But for daily life, the original phrase is king.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase is neutral and safe for almost any situation. The only 'gotcha' is using it for facts instead of choices.
Add a 'Ne' for Softness
Adding `呢` (ne) at the end—`还没想好呢`—makes you sound much more relaxed and less stressed by the decision.
Don't confuse with 'Xiǎng bù hǎo'
Saying `想不好` implies you are incapable of making a good decision, whereas `还没想好` just means you need more time.
The 'Polite Stall'
In China, if someone asks you for a favor and you say `还没想好`, it's often a soft way to prepare them for a 'no' later on.
Beispiele
6不好意思，我还没想好，您先给他们点吧。
Sorry, I haven't decided yet, please take their order first.
A very polite way to handle pressure from a waiter.
去哪儿旅游？我还没想好呢。
Where to travel? I haven't decided yet.
The 'ne' at the end adds a soft, conversational tone.
关于这个方案，我还没想好怎么回复。
Regarding this proposal, I haven't decided how to respond yet.
Shows you are taking the proposal seriously.
周六去哪儿吃？还没想好，你有建议吗？
Where to eat Saturday? Haven't decided, do you have suggestions?
A great way to pivot the decision back to the other person.
别催我，我还没想好买哪个颜色的！
Don't rush me, I haven't decided which color to buy yet!
Uses a slightly playful tone to deflect sales pressure.
我们要不要搬家？我真的还没想好。
Should we move? I really haven't decided yet.
The word 'really' (zhēnde) adds emotional weight.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct phrase to tell a waiter you need more time.
服务员，请等一下，我 ___ 。
‘还没想好’ is the standard way to say you haven't finished choosing from a menu.
Complete the sentence to show you are still considering a job offer.
关于那份工作，我 ___ 。
‘还没想好’ (or the shortened ‘没想好’) indicates the decision process is ongoing.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality of 'Haven't Decided'
Used with friends or family.
还没呢 (Hái méi ne)
Perfect for daily life and shops.
还没想好 (Hái méi xiǎng hǎo)
Used in business or serious letters.
尚未决定 (Shàngwèi juédìng)
Where to use '还没想好'
Ordering Coffee
Latte or Mocha?
Career Choices
Accepting a new job
Shopping
Picking a shirt color
Weekend Plans
Movie or Hiking?
Aufgabensammlung
2 Aufgaben服务员，请等一下，我 ___ 。
‘还没想好’ is the standard way to say you haven't finished choosing from a menu.
关于那份工作，我 ___ 。
‘还没想好’ (or the shortened ‘没想好’) indicates the decision process is ongoing.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 Fragen还没想好 is more common in daily speech and focuses on the thinking process. 还没决定 is slightly more formal and focuses on the finality of the decision.
No, if you don't understand, say 我不明白 (wǒ bù míngbái). Using 还没想好 implies you understood the choice but haven't picked an option.
Not necessarily, but it's better to add a reason. For example, 我还没想好，因为我需要更多数据 (I haven't decided yet because I need more data).
Simply say 我想好了 (wǒ xiǎng hǎo le) or 我决定了 (wǒ juédìng le).
In this context, 好 acts as a resultative complement meaning 'finished' or 'settled,' rather than 'good' in quality.
Usually, 还没想过 (hái méi xiǎng guò) is better for something that never even crossed your mind.
Yes, you can just say 没想好 (méi xiǎng hǎo) in very casual settings.
Say 还没想好，请等一下 (Haven't decided, please wait a moment). It is perfectly polite.
Yes, it’s a very common way to describe being 'in between' or unsure about a relationship commitment.
It can if used too often, but generally, it sounds like you are being thoughtful rather than flaky.
Verwandte Redewendungen
再想想
Think about it some more
看情况
Depends on the situation
随便
Whatever / Up to you
还没决定
Haven't decided yet (formal)
