Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
考虑 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
考虑kǎolǜto think overHSK 4, v, rank #537, Medium
考虑kǎolǜto considerHSK 4, v, rank #537, Medium
考虑kǎolǜconsiderationHSK 4, v, rank #537, Medium
考虑kǎoto think overHSK 4, v, rank #537, Medium
考虑kǎoto considerHSK 4, v, rank #537, Medium
考虑kǎoconsiderationHSK 4, v, rank #537, Medium
kǎo(kao3lü4)
primary
 T4
  1. 1to think over
  2. 2to consider
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
考虑(考慮)kǎo(kao3lü4)

The verb 考虑 (kǎo lǜ) means to think over or to consider something carefully. It is commonly used in contexts where one weighs options or reflects on decisions, often implying a thoughtful and thorough evaluation of factors involved.

Frequency#537DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the act of 考虑 is often emphasized in decision-making processes, reflecting a value placed on careful thought before taking action, especially in business or family matters.

Memory Tip

Imagine a student (考) sitting at a desk, pondering over a crucial decision (虑) with a big question mark above their head. The combination of '考' (to test) and '虑' (to worry or ponder) can help you visualize the process of considering or testing your thoughts.

Meanings of 考虑

kǎo(kao3lü4)
primary
1to think over
2to consider
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 考虑

考虑Simplified
考慮Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#537Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 考虑

JasonAmy

Podcast: 考虑

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 考虑

Quick Contrast

考虑 (kǎo lǜ) vs 思考 (sī kǎo) — use 考虑 when emphasizing careful consideration of options rather than just the act of thinking.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a student (考) sitting at a desk, pondering over a crucial decision (虑) with a big question mark above their head. The combination of '考' (to test) and '虑' (to worry or ponder) can help you visualize the process of considering or testing your thoughts.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 考虑 with other similar verbs like 思考 (sī kǎo) which means to think deeply. 考虑 tends to be used in more formal contexts, so it’s important to recognize when to use it appropriately in conversations or writing.

HSK Study Tips

As a level 4 HSK word, 考虑 connects well with other verbs related to thinking and decision-making, such as 思考 (sī kǎo) and 决定 (jué dìng). Focus on using it in sentences that involve personal decisions or weighing options.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the act of 考虑 is often emphasized in decision-making processes, reflecting a value placed on careful thought before taking action, especially in business or family matters.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 考虑 with 决定 (jué dìng), using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我决定了这个问题' (wǒ juédìngle zhège wèntí) when they mean '我考虑了这个问题' (wǒ kǎolǜle zhège wèntí) can lead to misunderstanding.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 考虑

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 考虑 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

考kǎoto beat
HSK 26 strokes耂
View full entry
虑lǜto think over
HSK 310 strokes心
View full entry

Write 考虑

考
虑

Practice writing 考虑 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 考虑

考虑 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 3 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.

Related grammar lessons6
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

他把这个问题认真地____了好几天。

He seriously considered this problem for several days.

Example Sentences for 考虑 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
应该将盛行风的方向考虑在内。

yīng gāi jiāng shèng háng fēng de fāng xiàng kǎo lǜ zài nèi。

The direction of the prevailing winds should be taken into account.
2
你必须将该处房产的资本增值考虑在内。

nǐ bì xū jiāng gāi chǔ fáng chǎn de zī běn zēng zhí kǎo lǜ zài nèi。

You have to take capital appreciation of the property into account.
3
你可能从小就被教育那样考虑问题。

nǐ kě néng cóng xiǎo jiù bèi jiào yù nà yàng kǎo lǜ wèn tí。

You were probably brought up to think like that.
4
你必须将一定量的误差考虑在内。

nǐ bì xū jiāng yī dìng liáng de wù chà kǎo lǜ zài nèi。

You have to allow for a certain amount of error.
5
考虑一下你对投保的看法也许有所助益。

kǎo lǜ yī xià nǐ duì tóu bǎo de kàn fǎ yě xǔ yǒu suǒ zhù yì。

It might be worthwhile to consider your attitude to an insurance policy.
6
你应该考虑将旅程分为几段，中途在机场旅馆稍作停留。

nǐ yīng gāi kǎo lǜ jiāng lǚ chéng fēn wéi jī duàn， ， zhōng tú zài jī cháng lǚ guǎn shāo zuò tíng。

You should consider breaking the journey with intermediate stopovers at airport hotels.
7
12英寸左右的宽度绝对是你应考虑的最低值。

12 12 yīng cùn zuǒ yòu de kuān dù jué duì shì nǐ yīng kǎo lǜ de zuì dī。

About 12 inches wide is the absolute minimum you should consider.
8
女性误以为是考虑不周的事情往往只是缺乏自信。

nǚ xìng wù yǐ wéi shì kǎo lǜ bù zhōu de shì qíng wǎng wǎng zhī shì quē fá zì xìn。

What women mistake as thoughtlessness is often just diffidence.
9
考虑到事业，这场病来得最不是时候。

kǎo lǜ dào shì yè， ， zhè cháng bìng lái dé zuì bù shì shí。

Career-wise, this illness couldn't have come at a worse time.
10
内务大臣正考虑制定一项针对跟踪骚扰的新法律。

nèi wù dà chén zhèng kǎo lǜ zhì dìng yī xiàng zhēn duì gēn zōng sāo rǎo de xīn fǎ lǜ。

The Home Secretary is considering a new law against stalking.

Cultural Notes for 考虑

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the act of 考虑 is often emphasized in decision-making processes, reflecting a value placed on careful thought before taking action, especially in business or family matters.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, decision-making may be more spontaneous, while in Chinese culture, there is often a greater emphasis on careful consideration and consultation with others.

Frequently Asked Questions about 考虑

No, 考虑 implies a thoughtful process, so it's not suitable for quick decisions.