Hello Mandarin Enthusiasts! 🍂
As autumn settles in, I’ve been reflecting on how much we’ve grown together in our Mandarin learning journey. Like the changing seasons, learning a language has its highs and lows, but what makes it special is the sense of progress we share through every challenge and success.
This week, we’re exploring 想 (xiǎng)—a character that speaks to the heart. It embodies emotions we all recognize: missing someone, expressing our wishes, and taking a moment to reflect. This little word is truly versatile, and I’m excited to unpack its layers with you.
A recent note from a learner really touched me:
This kind of feedback is why I started this project: to make learning Mandarin feel personal, approachable, and enjoyable—like having a warm chat on a crisp autumn day.
So, grab your favorite fall drink, get cozy, and let’s dive into the world of 想 together!
Curious about your Mandarin mastery?
How many words, characters, or chengyu can you recognize?
💎 This Week’s Gem: All About 想 💎
The character 想 (xiǎng) is like a Swiss Army knife in Mandarin—it’s packed with different meanings, all tied to the heart. Why the heart? Well, 想 contains the 心 (xīn) radical, which represents the heart and feelings, so no matter how you use 想, it always connects to emotion.
❤️ The Heart Radical 心
The radical 心 (xīn), meaning “heart,” plays a big role in characters related to emotions and mental activities. When it’s part of a character, it reminds us that the meaning is connected to feelings, thoughts, or inner experiences.
But here’s something cool: when 心 appears on the left side of a character, it changes shape to 忄. It’s the same “heart” radical, just written differently. You’ll find this version in many characters that deal with emotions or the mind, such as:
怕 (pà) – to fear
忙 (máng) – to be busy
恨 (hèn) – to hate
Notice how all these characters have to do with feelings or mental states? That’s the heart radical 忄 working its magic! It’s like a signal telling you, “This character is about emotions!”
💞 To Miss Someone
Imagine your best friend moved away. That ache in your chest? That’s what 想 captures when it means “to miss.” In Mandarin, 想 is often used to express how deeply we long for someone, showing a connection that distance can’t erase.
📚 Structure: [Subject] + 想 + [Person]
For example:
我想你。
我 / 想 / 你 。
wǒ xiǎng nǐ
I / miss / you
I miss you.
✨ To Want or Would Like To
想 is also your go-to word when you want something—whether it’s a cup of coffee, a new book, or a trip to China! It’s polite and gentle, like saying “I’d like to,” rather than the more direct “I want.”
📚 Structure: [Subject] + 想 + [Verb]
For example:
我很想去中国。
我 / 很 / 想 / 去 / 中国 。
wǒ hěn xiǎng qù zhōngguó
I’d love to go to China.
I / really / want / go / China
Note: 很 adds emphasis here, making your desire stronger—“I’d really like to go.” 想 keeps things soft and polite, unlike the firmer 要 (yào), which we’ll cover below.
🤔 To Think or Ponder
Have you ever needed a moment to think things over? That’s where 想 comes in. When you use 想, it’s more about reflecting or considering, rather than giving a quick opinion. It’s the kind of thinking you do when you pause before making a decision.
For example:
让我想一想。
让 / 我 / 想 / 一 / 想 。
ràng wǒ xiǎng yī xiǎng
let / me / think / a / think
Let me think about it.
Note: Repeating 想 (as in 想一想) adds emphasis, like saying “Let me think for a bit.” It implies that you’re taking your time.
🔍 想 vs 要: Both Mean “To Want,” But…
Now, 想 and 要 can both mean “to want,” but there’s a subtle difference in tone.
想: This is softer and more polite, often like saying “I’d like to...” in English. It’s ideal for expressing a tentative or gentle desire.
要: On the other hand, 要 is more direct and strong. It’s like saying “I want” or “I need”—there’s no question about your desire.
For example:
我想吃饭。
我 / 想 / 吃饭 。
wǒ xiǎng chīfàn
I’d like to eat.
I / want / eat
Note: 想 here feels polite, like you’re suggesting that eating is a good idea, not demanding it.
And:
我要吃饭。
我 / 要 / 吃饭 。
wǒ yào chīfàn
I want to eat.
I / want / eat
Note: Here, 要 makes it clear that you want to eat now. It’s a stronger, more immediate desire compared to 想.
🤓 想 vs 觉得 vs 认为: What’s the Difference?
We’ve covered how 想 means “to think” when you’re reflecting, but what about 觉得 (juéde) and 认为 (rènwéi)? Here’s a quick breakdown of the differences:
想: Used for thinking over something, reflecting, or considering an idea. It’s more about internal thought rather than stating opinions.
觉得 (juéde): Great for expressing personal opinions or feelings, especially when you’re not entirely sure.
认为 (rènwéi): This is more formal and confident. You use 认为 when you’re stating something more objective or firm.
For example:
我觉得你说的是真的。
我 / 觉得 / 你 / 说 / 的 / 是 / 真的 。
wǒ juéde nǐ shuō de shì zhēn de
I think what you said is true (but I’m not totally sure).
I / think / you / say / (particle 的) / is / true
Note: 觉得 works when you’re expressing personal thoughts, not necessarily facts
And:
很多中国人认为红色是最好的颜色。
很多 / 中国人 / 认为 / 红色 / 是 / 最好 / 的 / 颜色 。
hěn duō zhōngguórén rènwéi hóngsè shì zuìhǎo de yánsè
Many Chinese people believe red is the best color.
Many / Chinese people / think / red / is / best / (particle 的) / color
Note: 认为 is used for stating opinions as facts or in more formal situations.
🎯 Quick Recap!
想 can mean to miss, to want, or to think—depending on the context.
Use 想 for polite desires, while 要 is stronger and more direct.
When expressing opinions, 觉得 is personal and tentative, while 认为 is formal and confident.
⛏️ Practice Makes Perfect
Time to flex your Mandarin skills! The word 想 is so versatile—it can express everything from missing someone to making decisions, and even politely expressing what you want. Now, it’s your turn to practice translating some sentences using the various meanings of 想 that we’ve explored, or their variants 要, 觉得 and 认为. Remember, context is key to knowing which meaning of 想 fits best. Ready? Let’s go!
I really want to visit the Great Wall.
He misses his family very much.
I think this movie is very interesting.
Let me think for a moment before deciding.
Many people believe that exercise is good for health.
🌟 Practice More with Pearls of Mandarin 🌟
When I was learning Mandarin, practicing regularly was the key that unlocked fluency for me. I’d love for you to have that same experience. That’s why I created the Pearls of Mandarin Worksheets.
Here’s what I’ve got for you:
PMW: Translation – These sheets offer detailed corrections on the translation exercises, helping you understand the nuances of Mandarin.
PMW: Listening – Through listening exercises and 听写 (dictation), these sheets aim to sharpen your ears for Mandarin.
Access to the whole archive of my Chinese Grammar Gems lessons.
If you think this could help in your journey as it helped in mine, subscribe to receive these resources in your inbox every weekend.
I’m here to share what I’ve learned and to support you as you make your way towards mastery.
That’s a wrap for today!
This weekend, look out for your PMW: Translation and PMW: Listening practice sheets. They’ll give you the chance to apply what you’ve learned and keep improving your Mandarin skills.
Happy Learning,
Pierre 🐼