This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Chinese
Vocabulary
各抒己见

B2 idiom 9 min read

各抒己见

geshujijian

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 各抒己见 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 各抒己见 in your Level:

At the A1 level, this word is quite advanced. You can think of it as a special way to say 'Everyone talks about their ideas.' In a classroom, when the teacher asks every student to say what they think, that is '各抒己见'. The most important part for you is '大家' (everyone) and '说' (speak). Even if you can't use the whole idiom yet, knowing that it means 'everyone sharing' will help you understand when a teacher or a boss is asking for your opinion. It is like a group of friends deciding where to eat lunch, and each person says a different restaurant. That is the spirit of this word.

For A2 learners, '各抒己见' is a useful idiom to recognize in formal settings. It means 'each person expresses their own view.' You might see this in a simple reading about a meeting or a school project. Remember the structure: Subject (a group) + 各抒己见. For example, '同学们各抒己见' (The students each express their views). It is more formal than '大家说话' (everyone talks). When you see this, know that a discussion is happening where people are sharing different thoughts. It is a 'level up' word for your vocabulary.

At the B1 level, you should start trying to use '各抒己见' in your writing and speaking, especially when discussing group activities. It's a great way to describe a brainstorming session or a debate. Instead of saying '大家说了自己的想法' (Everyone said their own thoughts), using '大家各抒己见' makes you sound more like a native speaker. It's commonly used in HSK 4 and HSK 5 contexts. You should also notice that it's often used in the phrase '让大家各抒己见' (Let everyone express their views), which is a polite way to invite people to speak in a group.

As a B2 learner, you are expected to use '各抒己见' accurately in professional and academic contexts. You should understand the nuance that it implies a respectful and open environment. It is often used in news reports and formal essays to describe a healthy exchange of opinions. You should be able to distinguish it from similar idioms like '畅所欲言' (speak freely) or '七嘴八舌' (everyone talking at once). At this level, you should also be comfortable using it as a predicate or a modifier (e.g., '各抒己见的讨论'). This idiom is essential for participating in or describing business meetings and academic seminars in China.

For C1 learners, '各抒己见' is a standard tool for sophisticated discourse. You should be able to use it to describe complex social phenomena, such as public debates on policy or diverse critical perspectives on literature. You should also be aware of its historical and cultural weight, signifying a pluralistic approach to problem-solving. At this level, you should be able to use it in complex sentence structures, such as '在各抒己见的基础上达成共识' (reaching a consensus on the basis of everyone expressing their views). You should also recognize it in classical-style modern prose and high-level journalism.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of '各抒己见' and its stylistic implications. You can use it with precision to contrast different modes of communication (e.g., contrasting it with '一言堂' - a situation where only one person has a say). You understand the subtle rhetorical effect it has in a speech or an editorial—promoting an image of inclusivity and intellectual vitality. You can also identify and correct subtle misuses of the idiom in others' speech. For you, this idiom is not just a vocabulary item but a reflection of a specific communicative value in the Chinese language: the balance between individual expression and collective deliberation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

各抒己见 in 30 Seconds

A formal idiom meaning everyone shares their own opinions.
Commonly used in meetings, seminars, and academic writing.
Emphasizes diversity of thought and open communication.
Requires a plural subject like 'everyone' or 'the group'.

The Chinese idiom 各抒己见 (gè shū jǐ jiàn) is a cornerstone of collaborative discourse in Mandarin. At its structural core, it is composed of four distinct characters: 各 (gè) meaning 'each' or 'every,' 抒 (shū) meaning 'to express' or 'to unburden,' 己 (jǐ) meaning 'self' or 'one's own,' and 见 (jiàn) meaning 'view,' 'opinion,' or 'insight.' When woven together, the phrase literally translates to 'each expresses their own views.' In practice, it describes a scenario where a group of people, whether in a formal meeting, a casual debate, or an academic seminar, feel empowered and encouraged to share their unique perspectives without reservation.

The Essence of Plurality: This idiom is not just about speaking; it is about the diversity of thought. It implies a democratic or open environment where no single voice dominates, and every participant contributes a different piece of the intellectual puzzle. It is often used to praise a productive discussion where variety led to a better outcome.
Professional Contexts: In the modern Chinese workplace, you will frequently encounter this term during brainstorming sessions. A manager might say, '请大家各抒己见' (Please, everyone, express your views freely) to break the ice and invite creative input. It signals that the hierarchy is momentarily flattened in favor of collective wisdom.

“在这次研讨会上，专家们各抒己见，讨论非常激烈。”
— Translation: At this seminar, the experts each expressed their own views, and the discussion was very intense.

Historically, the concept of 'expressing oneself' has deep roots in Chinese intellectual tradition. While Confucianism emphasizes social harmony and hierarchy, the tradition of 'Hundred Schools of Thought' (百家争鸣) celebrates the very spirit that 各抒己见 encapsulates—the idea that through the collision of different ideas, truth and progress are found. It is a phrase that bridges the gap between ancient scholarly debate and contemporary corporate strategy. Using this idiom correctly shows a high level of linguistic sophistication, as it moves beyond simple verbs like '说' (speak) or '讲' (talk) into the realm of formal, structured expression.

Furthermore, the word '抒' (shū) adds a touch of elegance. It is the same character used in '抒情' (expressing emotion/lyrical). This suggests that the opinions being shared are not just dry facts, but views that the speakers have 'poured out' from their own minds. It implies a level of sincerity and depth in the contribution. Whether you are writing an essay about social issues or participating in a group project, invoking this idiom suggests an atmosphere of intellectual freedom and mutual respect.

Integrating 各抒己见 into your speech requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as a four-character idiom (chengyu). Most commonly, it functions as the main predicate of a sentence, often following a subject that denotes a group. For example, '委员们各抒己见' (The committee members each expressed their views). It can also be preceded by auxiliary verbs like '可以' (can), '应该' (should), or '让' (let/allow).

The 'Let' Structure: One of the most natural ways to use this idiom is in the phrase '让大家各抒己见' (Let everyone express their own views). This is a standard opening for facilitators in any discussion-based setting.
Modifying Nouns: While less common, it can act as an adjective with the particle '的'. For instance: '一个各抒己见的氛围' (An atmosphere where everyone expresses their own views). This highlights the descriptive power of the idiom.

“我们应该鼓励学生在课堂上各抒己见，而不是只听老师讲课。”
— Translation: We should encourage students to express their own views in class, rather than just listening to the teacher.

When using this idiom, pay attention to the level of formality. It is perfectly suited for written reports, news articles, and formal debates. In very casual, slang-heavy conversations, it might sound a bit 'bookish,' but it is never considered wrong. It is a safe and high-value term for HSK 5 and HSK 6 students. Note that it is often paired with the conjunction '并' (and) or used in a list of actions to describe a comprehensive process of deliberation.

To truly master its use, try using it in contrast with its antonyms. For example, '与其大家沉默不语，不如各抒己见' (Instead of everyone remaining silent, it's better for everyone to express their views). This contrast emphasizes the value of communication. In business Chinese, you might see it in meeting minutes: '会议期间，与会者就市场策略各抒己见' (During the meeting, participants expressed their respective views on market strategy). This shows the idiom's utility in professional documentation.

You will encounter 各抒己见 in environments where the exchange of ideas is the primary goal. It is a staple of Chinese media, particularly in investigative journalism and talk shows where diverse panels are invited to discuss social trends. When a host says, '欢迎各位嘉宾各抒己见,' they are setting the stage for a lively, multi-perspective conversation.

Academic Journals: In the 'Conclusion' or 'Discussion' sections of research papers, authors often note that while scholars in the field 各抒己见, a consensus is yet to be reached. This highlights the idiom's role in describing intellectual diversity.
News Headlines: Headlines regarding public hearings or policy changes frequently use this phrase to indicate that the government is listening to various sectors of society. It carries a connotation of transparency and democratic participation.

“在网上的讨论区里，网民们对这部电影的评价各抒己见，褒贬不一。”
— Translation: In the online forums, netizens expressed their own views on the movie, with mixed reviews.

If you are a student in China, your professors will likely use this phrase during seminars. It is the verbal signal that the 'lecture' portion is over and the 'dialogue' portion has begun. In a cultural sense, it reflects the modern Chinese value of 'seeking common ground while reserving differences' (求同存异). By inviting everyone to express their views, the group acknowledges that individual differences are valuable to the whole.

In literature, both modern and classical-style prose use this idiom to describe the vibrancy of a gathering. It evokes a scene of intellectual ferment. For a learner, hearing this word is a cue that the speaker is inviting participation. If you are in a group and someone says this, it is your green light to speak up and share your thoughts, no matter how different they might be from the others.

Despite its frequent use, 各抒己见 is often subject to a few specific types of errors by learners. The most common mistake is a subject-verb mismatch. Because the idiom starts with '各' (each), learners sometimes think it refers to a single person. However, '各' implies 'each of the many.' You cannot say '他各抒己见' (He each expressed views). The subject must be plural or a collective noun like '大家' (everyone), '小组' (the group), or '双方' (both sides).

Redundancy Errors: As mentioned in the grammar section, avoid adding '意见' or '想法' after the idiom. The '见' in the idiom already means 'opinion.' Saying '各抒己见想法' is like saying 'each express their own opinion opinion.'
Character Confusion: The character 抒 (shū) is often confused with 书 (shū - book) or 舒 (shū - comfortable). While they share the same pinyin, their meanings are unrelated. Always remember the 'hand' radical (扌) in 抒, which signifies the action of 'pulling out' or expressing.

❌ Incorrect: 会议上，我各抒己见。
✅ Correct: 会议上，大家各抒己见。

Another subtle mistake is using it in a negative or inappropriate context. 各抒己见 generally has a positive or neutral connotation—it implies a healthy, open discussion. If a group is arguing pointlessly or shouting over each other, a more negative idiom like '七嘴八舌' (seven mouths and eight tongues - chaotic speaking) might be more appropriate. Using 各抒己见 to describe a chaotic brawl would sound sarcastic or simply wrong.

Lastly, be careful with the word order. In Chinese, idioms are usually placed after the subject and before the duration or result, or at the very end of the clause. Do not try to split the four characters. They must stay together as a single block of meaning. '各抒了己见' is incorrect; the aspect marker '了' should usually come after the whole idiom or the idiom should be used without it in a descriptive sense.

To expand your vocabulary, it is helpful to compare 各抒己见 with other idioms that describe speaking and group dynamics. While they may seem similar, each has a specific 'flavor' or register.

畅所欲言 (chàng suǒ yù yán): Difference: While 各抒己见 emphasizes that everyone has a view, 畅所欲言 emphasizes the freedom and lack of restraint in speaking. It means 'to speak one's mind freely and fully.' You can use this for a single person, whereas 各抒己见 is for a group.
见仁见智 (jiàn rén jiàn zhì): Difference: This idiom means 'the benevolent see benevolence, the wise see wisdom.' It is used to describe a situation where different people have different interpretations of the same thing. It is more about the result of differing views, while 各抒己见 is about the act of expressing them.
集思广益 (jí sī guǎng yì): Difference: This means 'to pool collective wisdom for greater benefit.' It is the goal of 各抒己见. You 'express views' (各抒己见) in order to 'benefit from collective wisdom' (集思广益).

“与其争论不休，不如让大家各抒己见，最后再集思广益。”
— Translation: Instead of arguing endlessly, it's better to let everyone express their views, and finally pool our collective wisdom.

When choosing between these, consider your focus. If you want to highlight the diversity of opinions, use 各抒己见. If you want to highlight the freedom of the speaker, use 畅所欲言. If you want to highlight the subjectivity of the topic, use 见仁见智. Mastering these nuances will make your Chinese sound much more natural and precise.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '抒' (shū) contains the 'hand' radical and was originally used to describe the act of ladling out water or removing something from a container. This evolved metaphorically into 'ladling out' one's thoughts or feelings from the mind.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɡəʊ ʃuː dʒiː dʒiæn/

US /ɡoʊ ʃu dʒi dʒiæn/

Each syllable is typically given equal weight in Chinese, but the 4th tones (gè, jiàn) sound more forceful.

Rhymes With

见 (jiàn) rhymes with 面 (miàn - face) 见 (jiàn) rhymes with 线 (xiàn - line) 见 (jiàn) rhymes with 变 (biàn - change) 见 (jiàn) rhymes with 愿 (yuàn - wish) 见 (jiàn) rhymes with 念 (niàn - read) 见 (jiàn) rhymes with 现 (xiàn - present) 见 (jiàn) rhymes with 遍 (biàn - time/round) 见 (jiàn) rhymes with 战 (zhàn - war)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'shū' as 'shū' (book) - though they sound the same, the character is different.
Muddling the tones, especially the 3rd tone on 'jǐ'.
Confusing 'jiàn' (view) with 'jiān' (between).
Using a rising tone for 'gè' instead of falling.
Merging 'jǐ' and 'jiàn' into one sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Requires knowledge of four distinct characters and idiom structure.

Writing 5/5

The character '抒' is relatively rare and difficult to write by hand.

Speaking 3/5

Easy to pronounce once the tones are mastered.

Listening 3/5

Very common in formal audio, recognizable by its rhythm.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

意见 (opinion) 表达 (express) 各自 (each) 看法 (viewpoint) 讨论 (discuss)

Learn Next

百家争鸣 (hundred schools of thought) 集思广益 (pool wisdom) 畅所欲言 (speak freely) 见仁见智 (different views) 众说纷纭 (divided opinions)

Advanced

广开言路 (open channels for speech) 一言堂 (one-person rule) 噤若寒蝉 (silent from fear) 异曲同工 (different tunes, same effect)

Grammar to Know

Idioms as Predicates

大家<各抒己见>。

Idioms with '让' (Causative)

经理<让>大家<各抒己见>。

Idioms as Modifiers with '的'

一个<各抒己见>的讨论环境。

Idioms with Prepositional Phrases

<对>这个问题，大家<各抒己见>。

Idioms with Adverbs of Degree/Manner

大家<纷纷><各抒己见>。

Examples by Level

大家各抒己见。

Everyone expresses their own views.

Subject (大家) + Idiom.

老师让我们各抒己见。

The teacher let us each express our views.

Let (让) + Object + Idiom.

请大家各抒己见。

Please, everyone express your views.

Polite request (请).

他们在各抒己见。

They are each expressing their views.

Present continuous sense.

我们各抒己见，很好。

We each expressed our views, it was good.

Idiom as a predicate.

学生们各抒己见。

The students each express their views.

Plural subject.

会议上大家各抒己见。

Everyone expressed their views at the meeting.

Location (在会议上) + Subject + Idiom.

朋友们各抒己见。

Friends each express their views.

Plural subject.

在讨论课上，同学们各抒己见。

In the discussion class, students each expressed their views.

Contextualizing with '在...上'.

对于这个问题，大家各抒己见。

Regarding this problem, everyone expressed their own views.

Topic-comment structure (对于...).

我们可以各抒己见吗？

Can we each express our own views?

Using auxiliary verb (可以).

大家都各抒己见，非常热闹。

Everyone expressed their views, it was very lively.

Resultative clause (非常热闹).

你应该各抒己见，不要害怕。

You should express your views, don't be afraid.

Note: Even though 'you' is singular, it often implies 'you as part of the group'.

医生们对病人的情况各抒己见。

The doctors each expressed their views on the patient's condition.

Professional context.

在这个小组里，每个人都各抒己见。

In this group, everyone expresses their own views.

Emphasis on '每个人' (every single person).

爸爸妈妈对我的未来各抒己见。

Mom and Dad each expressed their views on my future.

Family context.

会议进入了自由讨论阶段，参会人员各抒己见。

The meeting entered the free discussion phase, and participants expressed their views.

Describing a process.

为了集思广益，经理鼓励员工们各抒己见。

To pool collective wisdom, the manager encouraged employees to express their views.

Purpose clause (为了...).

关于这部电影，影评人们各抒己见。

Regarding this movie, film critics each expressed their own views.

Subject-specific context.

我们应该营造一个让大家各抒己见的环境。

We should create an environment where everyone can express their views.

Idiom as part of an object clause.

虽然大家各抒己见，但最后还是达成了一致。

Although everyone expressed their own views, they reached an agreement in the end.

Concessive clause (虽然...但...).

在座的各位可以就这个方案各抒己见。

Everyone present can express their own views on this plan.

Formal address (在座的各位).

历史学家们对这一事件各抒己见，争论不休。

Historians each expressed their views on this event, arguing endlessly.

Adding a secondary predicate (争论不休).

辩论赛上，双方辩手各抒己见。

In the debate competition, debaters from both sides expressed their views.

Competitive context.

在民主气氛浓厚的公司里，员工往往能各抒己见。

In a company with a strong democratic atmosphere, employees can often express their views.

Conditional context (往往能).

面对全球气候变化，各国代表在峰会上各抒己见。

Facing global climate change, representatives from various countries expressed their views at the summit.

International relations context.

与其在这里各抒己见，不如先去做市场调查。

Instead of just expressing views here, it's better to do market research first.

Comparison (与其...不如...).

这篇文章综合了各方专家各抒己见的观点。

This article synthesizes the views expressed by various experts.

Using the idiom to modify '观点'.

在学术研讨中，各抒己见是发现真理的前提。

In academic research, everyone expressing their views is a prerequisite for finding the truth.

Idiom as the subject of the sentence.

领导层对公司的转型方向各抒己见，未能达成共识。

The leadership expressed differing views on the company's transformation direction and failed to reach a consensus.

Describing a lack of agreement.

通过各抒己见的讨论，我们发现了方案中的漏洞。

Through the discussion where everyone expressed their views, we found loopholes in the plan.

Prepositional phrase (通过...).

在网络社交平台上，网民们对热点事件各抒己见。

On social media platforms, netizens express their views on trending events.

Modern digital context.

该法案的修订引发了社会各界的广泛关注，专家学者纷纷各抒己见。

The revision of the bill sparked widespread concern in society, and experts and scholars have expressed their views one after another.

Using '纷纷' (one after another) to emphasize the frequency.

尽管学者们各抒己见，但都承认这一发现具有里程碑意义。

Despite the differing views expressed by scholars, they all acknowledge the milestone significance of this discovery.

Complex concessive structure.

在文学批评领域，批评家们对这部作品的意蕴各抒己见。

In the field of literary criticism, critics each express their own views on the implications of this work.

Specialized academic context.

为了确保决策的科学性，委员会邀请了不同背景的人士各抒己见。

To ensure the scientific nature of the decision, the committee invited people from different backgrounds to express their views.

Formal policy-making context.

这种各抒己见、百家争鸣的局面有利于文化的繁荣。

This situation, where everyone expresses their views and a hundred schools of thought contend, is conducive to cultural prosperity.

Pairing with another idiom (百家争鸣).

在复杂的国际局势下，各国智库就安全问题各抒己见。

Under the complex international situation, think tanks from various countries express their views on security issues.

High-level geopolitical context.

他主张在团队内部建立一种各抒己见的沟通机制。

He advocates for the establishment of a communication mechanism within the team where everyone can express their views.

Abstract noun modification.

在这场关于道德的辩论中，参与者们各抒己见，互不相让。

In this debate about morality, participants each expressed their own views and refused to give in to each other.

Describing a heated debate.

在诠释经典文本时，历代注家各抒己见，形成了深厚的经学传统。

When interpreting classic texts, commentators of past dynasties each expressed their own views, forming a profound tradition of Confucian classics study.

Historical/Philological context.

这种众说纷纭、各抒己见的现象，反映了当代价值观的多样化。

This phenomenon of diverse opinions and everyone expressing their own views reflects the diversification of contemporary values.

Pairing with '众说纷纭' (many different versions).

政府在制定城市规划时，广泛听取民意，鼓励市民各抒己见。

When formulating urban planning, the government widely listens to public opinion and encourages citizens to express their views.

Civic engagement context.

在哲学思辨的殿堂里，思想家们就存在的本质各抒己见。

In the hall of philosophical speculation, thinkers each express their views on the essence of existence.

Highly abstract/Philosophical context.

尽管各抒己见在某种程度上会导致效率下降，但它能有效避免盲目决策。

Although everyone expressing their own views may lead to a decrease in efficiency to some extent, it can effectively avoid blind decision-making.

Analytical/Critical thinking context.

该艺术展旨在打破单一的审美标准，让观众对艺术的定义各抒己见。

The art exhibition aims to break the single aesthetic standard and let the audience express their own views on the definition of art.

Artistic/Subjective context.

在处理复杂的社会矛盾时，应当允许利益相关方各抒己见。

When dealing with complex social contradictions, stakeholders should be allowed to express their views.

Legal/Sociological context.

历史的魅力往往在于后人能对既往的事实各抒己见，不断重构叙事。

The charm of history often lies in the fact that later generations can express their own views on past facts and constantly reconstruct narratives.

Metahistorical reflection.

Synonyms

畅所欲言百家争鸣集思广益

Antonyms

众口一辞沉默寡言

Common Collocations

让大家各抒己见

纷纷各抒己见

充分各抒己见

各抒己见的讨论

鼓励各抒己见

各抒己见的基础上

允许各抒己见

各抒己见的气氛

就...各抒己见

代表们各抒己见

Common Phrases

各抒己见，集思广益

— Expressing views to pool collective wisdom.

我们开会的目的是各抒己见，集思广益。

各抒己见，求同存异

— Expressing views while seeking common ground despite differences.

双方各抒己见，努力求同存异。

各抒己见，互不相让

— Everyone expressing views and no one yielding.

讨论中，大家各抒己见，互不相让。

各抒己见，畅所欲言

— Everyone expressing views and speaking freely.

请大家在座谈会上各抒己见，畅所欲言。

各抒己见，见仁见智

— Expressing views and showing different interpretations.

对这幅画，观众各抒己见，见仁见智。

各抒己见，争论不休

— Expressing views and arguing without stopping.

学者们各抒己见，争论不休。

各抒己见，达成共识

— Expressing views and then reaching a consensus.

经过各抒己见，我们最终达成共识。

各抒己见，广开言路

— Expressing views as a result of opening communication channels.

我们要广开言路，让大家各抒己见。

各抒己见，各执一词

— Expressing views but sticking stubbornly to one's own.

他们各抒己见，各执一词，无法统一。

各抒己见，气氛热烈

— Everyone expressing views in a lively atmosphere.

研讨会上大家各抒己见，气氛热烈。

Often Confused With

各抒己见 vs 各执一词

Each sticks to their own version. Usually implies a conflict where people won't agree.

各抒己见 vs 七嘴八舌

Describes a messy, noisy scene where everyone talks at once. Less formal than 各抒己见.

各抒己见 vs 畅所欲言

Focuses on the freedom to speak everything on one's mind. Can apply to one person.

Idioms & Expressions

"百家争鸣"

— A hundred schools of thought contend; refers to a period of great intellectual diversity.

战国时期是百家争鸣的时代。

Literary

"畅所欲言"

— To speak one's mind freely and without reservation.

在老朋友面前，他总是畅所欲言。

Neutral

"七嘴八舌"

— Seven mouths and eight tongues; describes a chaotic scene of everyone talking at once.

大家七嘴八舌地讨论起来。

Informal

"众说纷纭"

— Opinions are divided; many different versions or stories.

关于事故的原因，众说纷纭。

Formal

"见仁见智"

— The benevolent see benevolence, the wise see wisdom; different people have different views.

这件艺术品的价值，真是见仁见智。

Formal

"各执一词"

— Each sticks to their own word/version.

证人们各执一词，法官很难判断。

Neutral

"异口同声"

— With one voice; everyone saying the same thing at the same time.

大家异口同声地回答：'好！'。

Neutral

"一针见血"

— To hit the nail on the head; to be very direct and accurate.

他的评价真是一针见血。

Neutral

"言过其实"

— To exaggerate; to say more than the truth.

他的成就被媒体言过其实了。

Neutral

"知无不言"

— To say everything one knows.

只要你问，我一定知无不言。

Formal

Easily Confused

各抒己见 vs 抒发

Both share '抒' (express).

'抒发' is a verb for feelings (e.g., 抒发感情), '各抒己见' is an idiom for opinions.

他写诗抒发感情。

各抒己见 vs 意见

Both mean 'opinion'.

'意见' is a noun; '各抒己见' is a full idiomatic phrase.

你有意见吗？

各抒己见 vs 看法

Both mean 'view'.

'看法' is a noun; '各抒己见' is an action/idiom.

谈谈你的看法。

各抒己见 vs 建议

Both involve sharing ideas.

'建议' is a suggestion for action; '各抒己见' is sharing views in general.

我有个建议。

各抒己见 vs 讨论

Both involve group talk.

'讨论' is the act of discussing; '各抒己见' describes how the discussion happens.

我们正在讨论。

Sentence Patterns

大家 + 各抒己见。

大家各抒己见。

让 + 人/大家 + 各抒己见。

让大家各抒己见。

对 + [Topic] + 各抒己见。

对这个计划各抒己见。

在...中 + 各抒己见。

在讨论中各抒己见。

纷纷/充分 + 各抒己见。

专家们纷纷各抒己见。

建立/营造 + [Modifier] + 各抒己见 + 的 + [Noun]。

营造各抒己见的氛围。

虽然 + 各抒己见 + 但是 + [Result]。

虽然各抒己见，但还没决定。

在 + 各抒己见 + 的基础上 + [Action]。

在各抒己见的基础上达成共识。

Word Family

Nouns

见解 (jiàn jiě) - opinion/view

见闻 (jiàn wén) - what one sees and hears

己见 (jǐ jiàn) - one's own view

Verbs

抒发 (shū fā) - to express/voice

抒情 (shū qíng) - to express emotion

见证 (jiàn zhèng) - to witness

Adjectives

各自 (gè zì) - respective/each

见多识广 (jiàn duō shí guǎng) - experienced and knowledgeable

意见 (yì jiàn) - opinion

观点 (guān diǎn) - viewpoint

讨论 (tǎo lùn) - discussion

交流 (jiāo liú) - exchange

看法 (kàn fǎ) - way of looking at things

How to Use It

frequency

Highly frequent in professional, academic, and media contexts.

Common Mistakes

他各抒己见。 → 大家各抒己见。
The idiom requires a plural subject because '各' means 'each of the many'.
大家各抒己见意见。 → 大家各抒己见。
'见' already means 'opinion'. Adding '意见' is redundant.
大家各抒了己见。 → 大家各抒己见。
Idioms are usually fixed blocks; do not insert aspect markers like '了' inside them.
我们舒己见。 → 我们各抒己见。
Confusing '抒' (express) with '舒' (comfortable) or omitting '各'.
讨论会上各抒己见。 → 讨论会上，大家各抒己见。
Sentences usually need an explicit or implied group subject.

Tips

Plurality is Key

Always ensure your subject represents more than one person. You cannot '各抒己见' by yourself.

Avoid Redundancy

Do not add '意见' or '想法' after the idiom. The meaning of 'opinion' is already built-in.

Keep it Professional

Use this in essays, business emails, and formal speeches to sound more educated and professional.

The 'Each-Express' Rule

Think: Each (各) Expresses (抒) own (己) Views (见). If you remember the literal meaning, you won't forget the usage.

No Aspect Markers

Avoid putting '了' or '过' inside the idiom. Use it as a stable block of four characters.

Democratic Feel

Use it when you want to emphasize that a group is open to all ideas, which is a valued trait in modern collaboration.

Tone Accuracy

Practice the 4-1-3-4 tone pattern. The falling tones at the start and end give the idiom its distinctive punch.

Context Clues

When you hear '各抒己见', look for people nodding or taking notes; it's the start of a brainstorm.

Synonym Nuance

Learn '见仁见智' alongside it to describe the *result* of having different views.

Sentence Building

Try starting sentences with '关于...' (Regarding...) followed by a group and '各抒己见' to master the structure.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of Gè (Each) Shū (Shooting out) Jǐ (Self) Jiàn (Ideas). Each person is shooting out their own ideas like a fountain of thoughts.

Visual Association

Visualize a round table with four people. Each person has a speech bubble above their head with a different color or symbol inside, representing their unique 'view' (见).

Word Web

各 (Each) 抒 (Express) 己 (Self) 见 (View) 讨论 (Discussion) 意见 (Opinion) 大家 (Everyone) 会议 (Meeting)

Challenge

Write a short paragraph about a fictional meeting between a cat, a dog, and a bird. Use '各抒己见' to describe how they decide what to do for the afternoon.

Word Origin

The phrase originates from the 'History of the Southern Dynasties' (南史), specifically within the biography of Liu Xiaochuo. It emerged as a way to describe the vibrant intellectual life and the diversity of literary and political opinions during that era.

Original meaning: The original meaning remains largely unchanged: 'Each person expresses their own views.' It was used to describe scholarly gatherings where literary figures would debate and share their works.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese Chengyu)

Cultural Context

The idiom is generally positive and safe to use. However, avoid using it if the 'opinions' being shared are actually angry insults; that would be '互相攻击' (attacking each other).

In English, we might say 'everyone shared their two cents' or 'everyone weighed in.' However, '各抒己见' is more formal and carries a sense of intellectual contribution rather than just casual input.

History of the Southern Dynasties (南史) The 'Hundred Schools of Thought' (百家争鸣) era Modern Chinese news reports on the 'Two Sessions' (两会)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Meetings

请大家各抒己见。
在会上，同事们各抒己见。
大家对新产品各抒己见。
记录下大家各抒己见的要点。

Academic Seminars

学者们对这一理论各抒己见。
研讨会旨在让大家各抒己见。
同学们就论文题目各抒己见。
在各抒己见中碰撞出思想的火花。

News and Media

嘉宾们在节目中各抒己见。
网民对热点新闻各抒己见。
报纸刊登了市民们各抒己见的信件。
舆论场上，各方力量各抒己见。

Classroom Education

老师鼓励学生各抒己见。
在小组讨论中，学生们各抒己见。
各抒己见能锻炼学生的思维能力。
不要怕错，请大家各抒己见。

Family/Social Planning

关于过年去哪儿，全家人各抒己见。
朋友们对晚餐的地点各抒己见。
大家各抒己见后，决定去爬山。
虽然各抒己见，但最后还是听爸爸的。

Conversation Starters

"对于这个新规定，大家有什么想法？请各抒己见。"

"今天的讨论会，希望各位能各抒己见，不要有顾虑。"

"在这个问题上，专家们各抒己见，你支持哪一方？"

"我们小组还没定下来，大家先各抒己见吧。"

"看到大家在网上各抒己见，我也想说说我的看法。"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你参加过的、大家各抒己见的会议。讨论的过程是怎样的？

你认为在团队中鼓励大家各抒己见重要吗？为什么？

当大家各抒己见但无法达成一致时，你通常会怎么做？

写一段话，用‘各抒己见’描述一场关于未来科技的辩论。

反思一次你因为害怕而没有‘各抒己见’的经历。如果重来，你会说什么？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, you can. While it usually implies a larger group, '双方各抒己见' (both sides express their views) is a common and correct usage.

It is generally positive or neutral. It describes a healthy exchange of ideas. If the discussion is chaotic, '七嘴八舌' would be used instead.

No. The '见' in the idiom already means 'opinion' or 'view.' Adding '意见' after it is redundant and incorrect.

'各抒己见' emphasizes that *everyone* has a different view. '畅所欲言' emphasizes the *freedom* and completeness of the speaking, and can be used for an individual.

It has the 'hand' radical on the left (扌) and '予' (yǔ) on the right. It means to express or ladle out.

In casual settings, people might say '大家说说看' (Everyone say something). '各抒己见' is more common in professional, academic, or formal contexts.

It is typically found in HSK 5 and HSK 6 materials as it is a formal idiom.

Yes, with '的'. For example: '各抒己见的会议' (A meeting where everyone expresses their views).

The most direct opposite is '一言堂' (one-person rule) or '噤若寒蝉' (silent from fear).

No, it implies that people have *different* views. Agreement often comes *after* the process of '各抒己见'.