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March 24, 2026
思考sīkǎo(si1kao3)
思考 (sī kǎo) means to reflect on or ponder over a subject. It implies a deeper level of thinking, often involving introspection or careful consideration of complex ideas. This word is commonly used in academic, philosophical, or personal contexts where thoughtful analysis is required.
Strokes15Frequency#2073DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, deep reflection is often valued in education and personal growth, making 思考 a key term in discussions about philosophy and morality, particularly in Confucianism.
Memory Tip
Think of 思 (sī) as a person sitting calmly with their hand on their chin, deep in thought, while 考 (kǎo) resembles a traditional Chinese exam paper – a setting where one must ponder and reflect to succeed.
Meanings of 思考
sīkǎo(si1kao3)
1to reflect on
2to ponder over
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About 思考
思考Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2073Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 思考
Podcast: 思考
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AI Study Notes for 思考
Quick Contrast
思索 (sī suǒ) vs 思考 (sī kǎo): use 思索 when emphasizing the process of thinking or deliberation, while 思考 focuses more on the act of reflecting or pondering.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 思 (sī) as a person sitting calmly with their hand on their chin, deep in thought, while 考 (kǎo) resembles a traditional Chinese exam paper – a setting where one must ponder and reflect to succeed.
Usage Notes
One common mistake is to use 思考 too casually; it is more formal than simply 'thinking' (想 xiǎng). Be mindful of collocations such as '思考问题' (reflect on the issue) or '深入思考' (think deeply). Also, ensure to use the correct tones, as mispronouncing them can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As HSK Level 5 word, 思考 connects to other academic vocabulary and concepts of introspection. Students should practice using it in sentences that require analysis or discussion, enhancing their critical thinking in Mandarin.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, deep reflection is often valued in education and personal growth, making 思考 a key term in discussions about philosophy and morality, particularly in Confucianism.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 思考 with 想, mistakenly using it in casual contexts. For example, saying '我在思考去商店' (I am pondering going to the store) is incorrect; it should be '我在想去商店' (I am thinking about going to the store).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 思考
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Grammar Patterns of 思考
思考 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
After this trip, I began to seriously reflect on my life goals.
11
她喜欢在安静的地方思考复杂的问题。
Tā xǐhuān zài ānjìng de dìfāng sīkǎo fùzá de wèntí.
She likes to reflect on complex issues in quiet places.
12
他在图书馆里花了一个下午思考他的论文主题。
Tā zài túshūguǎn lǐ huā le yí gè xiàwǔ sīkǎo tā de lùnwén zhǔtí.
He spent an afternoon in the library reflecting on his thesis topic.
13
每当遇到困难时，他总是停下来思考解决的办法。
Měidāng yùdào kùnnán shí, tā zǒngshì tíng xiàlái sīkǎo jiějué de bànfǎ.
Whenever he encounters difficulties, he always pauses to reflect on solutions.
Cultural Notes for 思考
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, deep reflection is often valued in education and personal growth, making 思考 a key term in discussions about philosophy and morality, particularly in Confucianism.
Frequently Asked Questions about 思考
You can say '我在思考这个问题' (I am reflecting on this issue).
It is more common in formal or academic contexts, rather than casual conversation.
思考 implies a deeper, more reflective thought process, while 想 is more general for thinking.
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