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着想 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
着想zhuóxiǎngto give thought (to others)HSK 7, v, rank #4962, Hard
着想zhuóxiǎngto consider (other people's needs)HSK 7, v, rank #4962, Hard
着想zhuóxiǎngalso pr. [zháo xiǎng]HSK 7, v, rank #4962, Hard
着想zhuóxiǎngalso pr. [zhao2 xiang3]HSK 7, unknown, rank #4962, Hard
zhuóxiǎng(zhuo2xiang3) T2
  1. 1to give thought (to others)
  2. 2to consider (other people's needs)
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March 24, 2026
着想(著想)zhuóxiǎng(zhuo2xiang3)

着想 means to consider the needs or feelings of others, reflecting empathy and thoughtfulness. It is often used in contexts where one is encouraged to put themselves in another's shoes, such as in relationships or teamwork. This term emphasizes the importance of being considerate in social interactions.

Frequency#4962DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, collectivism often prioritizes the needs of the group over the individual, making the concept of 着想 particularly significant. It reflects a cultural value of harmony and consideration for others in community and family settings.

Memory Tip

Imagine a thoughtful person who is 'zhuo' (着) wearing a big 'xiang' (想) hat that represents their awareness of others' feelings. Visualize them sitting down and imagining what others might need, showing that their thoughts are not just about themselves.

Meanings of 着想

zhuóxiǎng(zhuo2xiang3)
1to give thought (to others)
2to consider (other people's needs)
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 着想

着想Simplified
著想Traditional
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4962Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 着想

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Podcast: 着想

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AI Study Notes for 着想

Quick Contrast

关心 (guānxīn) vs 着想 (zhuóxiǎng): use 着想 when emphasizing the act of considering others' feelings, while 关心 focuses more on showing care or concern.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a thoughtful person who is 'zhuo' (着) wearing a big 'xiang' (想) hat that represents their awareness of others' feelings. Visualize them sitting down and imagining what others might need, showing that their thoughts are not just about themselves.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include confusing 着想 with similar verbs that imply selfish thinking, such as 想 (xiǎng) alone. It's generally used in both formal and informal settings, but be mindful of the context to ensure the right tone. Collocations often include phrases like '为他人着想' (to think of others).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 着想 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to emotional intelligence and social interaction. Focus on using it in sentences that demonstrate empathy, as this will help solidify your understanding in practical situations.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, collectivism often prioritizes the needs of the group over the individual, making the concept of 着想 particularly significant. It reflects a cultural value of harmony and consideration for others in community and family settings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 着想 with 想 (xiǎng) and use it incorrectly in contexts that do not involve considering others, such as '我着想这个问题' (I think about this problem), which should be corrected to '我想这个问题'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 着想

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Component Characters

zheaspect particle indicating action in progress
HSK 211 strokes
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xiǎngto think
HSK 113 strokes
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Write 着想

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

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Grammar Patterns of 着想

着想 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 4 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

Complete the Sentence

我们得为50万名顾客的利益____。

We have the interest of 500,000 customers to think of.

Example Sentences for 着想 (5)

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1
我们得为50万名顾客的利益着想。

wǒ mén dé wéi50 50 wàn míng gù kè de lì yì zháo。

We have the interest of 500,000 customers to think of.
2
他们认为好的父母应该牺牲自我,一心为孩子着想。

tā mén rèn wéi hǎo de fù mǔ yīng gāi xī shēng zì wǒ, , yī xīn wéi hái zǐ zháo。

They believed that good parents should be self-sacrificing and self-denying.
3
这只猫挣扎着想跑掉.

zhè zhī māo zhèng zā zháo xiǎng pǎo diào.

The cat made a struggle to get free.
4
他坐着想了很久.

tā zuò zháo xiǎng le hěn jiǔ.

He sat thinking for a long time.
5
蹒跚学步的孩子指着想要的玩具.

pán shān xué bù de hái zǐ zhǐ zháo xiǎng yào de wán jù.

The toddler pointed to the toy he wanted.

Cultural Notes for 着想

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, collectivism often prioritizes the needs of the group over the individual, making the concept of 着想 particularly significant. It reflects a cultural value of harmony and consideration for others in community and family settings.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

While Western cultures may emphasize individualism, the concept of being considerate in Chinese culture often extends to a broader societal expectation of empathy towards others, highlighting a communal approach to relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions about 着想

You can say, '我们应该为他人着想' (We should think of others).