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思索 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
思索sīsuǒto think deeplyHSK 7, n, 19 strokes, rank #15560, Very Hard
思索sīsuǒto ponderHSK 7, n, 19 strokes, rank #15560, Very Hard
sīsuǒ(si1suo3)si suo T1
  1. 1to think deeply
  2. 2to ponder
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March 24, 2026

思索sīsuǒ(si1suo3)

思索 (sī suǒ) refers to the process of deep thinking and contemplation. It is often used in contexts where someone is reflecting on a complex issue, problem, or idea, indicating a thorough and deliberate examination of thoughts.

Strokes19Frequency#15560DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The concept of deep thinking and introspection, as captured by 思索, is highly valued in Chinese philosophy, particularly in Confucianism, where reflection on moral and ethical dilemmas is encouraged.

Memory tip

Imagine a person sitting in a quiet room, deeply pondering a question, with a thought bubble above their head filled with the characters '思索' (sī suǒ). The character '思' (sī) looks like a heart and a thought combined, suggesting feelings involved in thinking, while '索' (suǒ) resembles a hook, symbolizing the act of hooking onto an idea or thought to explore it further.

Meanings of 思索

sīsuǒ(si1suo3)
1to think deeply
2to ponder
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 思索

思索Simplified
19Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#15560Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 思索

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Podcast: 思索

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AI study notes for 思索

Quick Contrast

思考 (sīkǎo) vs 思索 (sīsuǒ): Use 思索 when emphasizing deep contemplation, whereas 思考 is more about general thinking or consideration.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using 思索 in casual contexts where simpler terms like '想' (xiǎng) would suffice. It is more formal and should be used in academic or serious discussions. Be careful with tones; mispronouncing '思' as 'sì' (4th tone) can change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 思索 connects with other advanced vocabulary regarding cognitive processes, such as '思考' (sī kǎo) meaning to think or consider. Students should focus on using it in more formal writing or discussions to enhance their language sophistication.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 思索 with similar words like 思考 (sī kǎo) or 想 (xiǎng), leading to vague usage. For example, saying '我想这个问题' (Wǒ xiǎng zhège wèntí) when a deeper contemplation is required would be incorrect; it should be '我在思索这个问题' (Wǒ zài sīsuǒ zhège wèntí).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 思索

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Component characters

思sīto think
HSK 59 strokes心
View full entry
索Suǒto search
10 strokes糸
View full entry

How to say to think deeply in Chinese

“to think deeply” in Chinese is思索sīsuǒ

思索 (sī suǒ) refers to the process of deep thinking and contemplation. It is often used in contexts where someone is reflecting on a complex issue, problem, or idea, indicating a thorough and deliberate examination of thoughts.

When to use 思索

Common mistakes include using 思索 in casual contexts where simpler terms like '想' (xiǎng) would suffice. It is more formal and should be used in academic or serious discussions. Be careful with tones; mispronouncing '思' as 'sì' (4th tone) can change the meaning entirely.

思索 or something close to it

思考 (sīkǎo) vs 思索 (sīsuǒ): Use 思索 when emphasizing deep contemplation, whereas 思考 is more about general thinking or consideration.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 思索 with similar words like 思考 (sī kǎo) or 想 (xiǎng), leading to vague usage. For example, saying '我想这个问题' (Wǒ xiǎng zhège wèntí) when a deeper contemplation is required would be incorrect; it should be '我在思索这个问题' (Wǒ zài sīsuǒ zhège wèntí).

Write 思索

思
索

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Grammar patterns of 思索

思索 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

问他懂哪些英文词，塞姆科先生不假____地回答：“一，二，三。”

Asked what English he knew, Mr Semko rattled off "One, two, three"

Example sentences for 思索 (8)

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1
问他懂哪些英文词，塞姆科先生不假思索地回答：“一，二，三。”

wèn tā dǒng nǎxiē yīngwén cí， sāi mǔ kē xiānsheng bùjiǎsīsuǒ dì huídá：“ yī， èr， sān。”

Asked what English he knew, Mr Semko rattled off "One, two, three"
2
他又几乎不假思索地补充说他想念她。

tā yòu jīhū bùjiǎsīsuǒ dì bǔchōng shuō tā xiǎngniàn tā。

Almost as an afterthought he added that he missed her.
3
这个杀人狂会不假思索地把他们两个都杀掉。

zhège shā rén kuáng huì bùjiǎsīsuǒ dì bǎ tāmen liǎng gè dōu shā diào。

This murderous lunatic could kill them both without a second thought.
4
将近60家银行已经不加思索地批准了一项重新融资的交易。

jiāngjìn60 jiā yínháng yǐjīng bù jiā sīsuǒ dì pīzhǔn le yī xiàng chóngxīn róngzī de jiāoyì。

Nearly 60 banks have rubber-stamped a refinancing deal.
5
诺先科苦苦思索终于想起了库佳的姓。

nuò xiān kē kǔ kǔ sīsuǒ zhōngyú xiǎngqǐ le kù jiā de xìng。

Nosenko puzzled out Kutya's surname.
6
她不假思索地认定这些男孩子是捣蛋鬼.

tā bùjiǎsīsuǒ dì rèndìng zhèxiē nán háizi shì dǎo dàn guǐ.

She had automatically labelled the boys as troublemakers.
7
等她朦朦胧胧地刚离开思索将要睡去, 春宝又醒了.

děng tā méng ménglóng lóng dì gāng líkāi sīsuǒ jiāngyào shuì qù, chūn bǎo yòu xǐng le.

As she was about to doze off, Chun Bao woke up.
8
末后, 她不再去苦思索了, 机械地在那张信笺上画了无数的小圆圈.

mò hòu, tā bùzài qù kǔ sīsuǒ le, jīxiè dì zài nà zhāng xìn jiān shàng huà le wúshù de xiǎo yuán juān.

Finally, unable to concentrate any longer, she fell to doodling on the writing pad.

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Frequently asked questions about 思索

No, 思索 is more formal and typically found in written contexts or serious discussions.

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