Chinese Conversation · Level 61
90 words
Chinese word
想开
Pronunciation
Pinyinxiǎng kāi
Meaning
- verbget over it
Example
他终于想开了，不再难过。tā zhōng yú xiǎng kāi le bú zài nán guò
He finally got over it and was no longer sad.
More examples
别太钻牛角尖，试着想开点儿。bié tài zuān niú jiǎo jiān shì zhe xiǎng kāi diǎnr
Don't dwell on things too much; try to take things a little more lightly.
Core concept
A mind loosens its grip on an unchangeable problem and settles into acceptance.
Common phrases
想开点儿xiǎng kāi diǎnr
take things a little more lightly
Similar words
看开kàn kāi: A person takes a relaxed view of a sad event or failure and is less troubled by it.
想通xiǎng tōng: A person understands the reason or logic behind a worry and feels mentally clear.
放下fàng xià: A person releases emotional attachment or anger and can move forward.
接受jiē shòu: A person acknowledges reality or a fact as it is and responds accordingly.
Definition in Chinese
对无法改变的事停止执着，心态上转为接受或不再计较。duì wú fǎ gǎi biàn de shì tíng zhǐ zhí zhuó xīn tài shàng zhuǎn wéi jiē shòu huò bú zài jì jiào
Word origin
想 (xiǎng, "think") + 开 (kāi, "open") presents a change in thinking as an opening, linking mental release with acceptance.
Usage tips
- As a response to someone who is upset, this verb can sound dismissive when offered before the other person's feelings have been acknowledged.
Other meanings
- take a relaxed viewverb
- let go of itverb
- come to terms with itverb
Opposites
- 想不开xiǎng bù kāitake things hardverb
- 放不开fàng bù kāicling to itverb