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B2 verb

设想

shexiang

When you imagine something, it means you're thinking about it in your mind, like a picture or an idea. For example, you might imagine a fun trip you want to take. When we conceive of something, it's a bit like imagining, but often with the idea of creating it or understanding how it works. You might conceive a plan for a project. And when you assume something, you are taking it as true without definite proof. You might assume it will rain because the sky is cloudy.

When you 设想 (shèxiǎng) something, you are imagining it.

It's like thinking about a situation or idea in your mind, especially something that hasn't happened yet.

You can 设想 different possibilities or outcomes.

It's a useful word for talking about plans or what you think might happen.

Practice it Notes & Tips

Fun Fact

The character 想 (xiǎng) is a phono-semantic compound where the top part, 相 (xiāng), provides the sound and means 'each other' or 'mutual', and the bottom part, 心 (xīn), means 'heart' or 'mind', indicating that thinking comes from the heart/mind.

Grammar to Know

设想 is often used to describe imagining a future situation or outcome. It implies a degree of planning or speculation.

我们设想了一个没有污染的世界。(We imagine a world without pollution.)

When 设想 is followed by a clause, it means to conceive of or assume that something is the case.

他设想她会同意这个计划。(He assumed that she would agree to this plan.)

It can be used to propose or suggest an idea or plan.

我设想了一个新的营销策略。(I conceived a new marketing strategy.)

设想 can be used with 出来 (chūlai) to emphasize the result of imagining or conceiving something.

他设想出了一个完美的解决方案。(He conceived a perfect solution.)

Do not confuse 设想 with 想象 (xiǎngxiàng). While both relate to imagination, 设想 often implies a more structured or planned form of imagination, often with a practical purpose or a concrete outcome in mind. 想象 is more general and can refer to pure, unstructured imagination.

她想象自己飞翔在天空中。(She imagined herself flying in the sky.) (Here, 想象 is more appropriate as it's a pure imaginative act without a specific plan or outcome.)

Idioms & Expressions

"设想周到 (shèxiǎng zhōudào)"

well-thought-out; considerate; to think of everything

他设想周到，把所有的事情都安排好了。(He thought of everything and arranged all the matters.)

neutral

"设想一下 (shèxiǎng yīxià)"

imagine for a moment; let's imagine

设想一下，如果你能飞，你会去哪里？(Imagine for a moment, if you could fly, where would you go?)

neutral

"大胆设想 (dàdǎn shèxiǎng)"

boldly imagine; audacious conjecture

我们需要大胆设想，才能找到新的解决方案。(We need to boldly imagine to find new solutions.)

neutral

"不符设想 (bùfú shèxiǎng)"

not as imagined; contrary to expectations

结果不符设想，我们还得重新考虑。(The result was not as imagined, we have to reconsider.)

neutral

"初步设想 (chūbù shèxiǎng)"

preliminary idea; initial conception

这只是我们的初步设想，还需要进一步讨论。(This is just our preliminary idea, further discussion is needed.)

neutral

"美好设想 (měihǎo shèxiǎng)"

beautiful vision; wonderful imagination

虽然这是个美好设想，但实现起来有难度。(Although this is a beautiful vision, it's difficult to achieve.)

neutral

"设想未来 (shèxiǎng wèilái)"

imagine the future; envision the future

我们一起来设想未来，看看能做些什么。(Let's imagine the future together and see what we can do.)

neutral

"设想如此 (shèxiǎng rúcǐ)"

such is the imagination; it is imagined as such

我设想如此，但实际情况可能不同。(I imagined it as such, but the actual situation may be different.)

neutral

"设想破灭 (shèxiǎng pòmiè)"

imagination shattered; hopes dashed

当现实来临时，我的美好设想破灭了。(When reality came, my beautiful imagination was shattered.)

neutral

"根据设想 (gēnjù shèxiǎng)"

according to the imagination; based on the conception

根据设想，这个项目应该会成功。(According to the imagination, this project should succeed.)

neutral

Tips

Basic Meaning

设想 (shèxiǎng) means to imagine, conceive, or assume. It often refers to forming an idea or plan in your mind before it becomes a reality.

Use in Planning

You'll often hear 设想 when talking about future plans or hypotheses. For example, 设想一下，如果我们成功了呢？(Imagine if we succeed?)

Similar to 'Imagine'

Think of it as similar to the English verb 'to imagine' in a more formal or strategic sense. It’s not just a fleeting thought, but a structured mental process.

Focus on Conception

It emphasizes the act of conceiving an idea or a scenario. 他设想了一个大胆的计划。(He conceived a bold plan.)

Often Used with '一下'

It's common to see it with 一下 (yīxià) to soften the tone or indicate a brief action, like 设想一下 (imagine for a moment).

Can be a Noun

设想 can also be a noun, meaning an 'assumption' or 'conception'. 你的设想很好。(Your conception is good.)

Distinguish from '想'

While 想 (xiǎng) is a general 'to think' or 'to want', 设想 is more about mentally 'projecting' or 'hypothesizing'.

Formal Context

It carries a slightly more formal tone than just 'thinking'. You might find it in business or academic contexts when discussing possibilities or theories. 我们可以设想几种不同的结果。(We can conceive several different outcomes.)

Practice Sentences

Try forming sentences where you're imagining a future scenario or conceiving a new idea using 设想.

Example

我们设想未来的世界会是什么样子？(What do we imagine the future world will look like?)

Word Origin

设 (shè) means 'to set up' or 'to establish', and 想 (xiǎng) means 'to think' or 'to imagine'.

Original meaning: The combination of these characters originally conveyed the idea of 'setting up a thought' or 'forming an idea'.

Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic languages, Mandarin Chinese.

Cultural Context

When Chinese speakers use 设想, they are often thinking about future possibilities, hypothetical situations, or planning. It implies a degree of mental construction or conceptualization, often used in professional or analytical contexts more than casual daydreaming. For example, you might use it when considering different scenarios for a project or envisioning the outcome of a decision.