Chinese word

观念

Pronunciation

Pinyinguān niàn

Meaning

  • nounconcept

Example

我对这个观念不太理解。wǒ duì zhè ge guān niàn bú tài lí jiě

I don't understand this concept very well.

Illustration for 观念 (concept)

More examples

他的观念很新颖，大家很受启发。tā de guān niàn hěn xīn yǐng dà jiā hěn shòu qǐ fā

His way of thinking is very fresh, and everyone was greatly inspired.

Core concept

A basic mental framework for understanding things and judging what matters.

Common phrases

  • 改变观念gǎi biàn guān niàn

    change one's way of thinking

  • 传统观念chuán tǒng guān niàn

    traditional ideas

  • 新的观念xīn de guān niàn

    new ideas

Similar words

想法xiáng fǎ: A thought or idea formed about something that happens or needs to be solved.
看法kàn fǎ: A personal opinion about the way something is viewed or understood.
意见yì jiàn: A stated opinion or suggestion that gives an assessment of a person or matter.
观点guān diǎn: A main standpoint or line of thinking on a specific issue.

Definition in Chinese

个体或群体对事物的基本看法和价值取向，常用于表达社会、文化或思想层面的观点。gè tǐ huò qún tǐ duì shì wù de jī běn kàn fǎ hé jià zhí qǔ xiàng cháng yòng yú biǎo dá shè huì wén huà huò sī xiǎng céng miàn de guān diǎn

Word origin

观 (guān, "to observe") + 念 (niàn, "thought") forms a compound for a thought held about how things are understood and valued.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may hear "concept" as a purely abstract classroom term, but this Chinese noun also fits everyday talk about values that shape family, work, and social life.

Other meanings

  • ideanoun
  • way of thinkingnoun
  • opinionnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word