主意 zhǔyi plan
plan; idea; decision
How to remember 主意: 主 lord + 意 idea = plan.
Characters
How it is used
- An idea/plan for what to do - 好主意 (hǎo zhǔyi) good idea!; 出主意 (chū zhǔyi) to offer ideas; 拿主意 (ná zhǔyi) to make a decision.
- Distinct from 意见 (yìjiàn, opinion/view) and 想法 (xiǎngfǎ, a thought/notion): 主意 is a concrete idea for action or a decision.
- Note the neutral tone: zhǔyi. 没主意 (méi zhǔyi) means 'can't decide'.
Example sentences
- 我没主意了。 Wǒ méizhǔyì le.I'm running out of ideas.
- 这是个好主意。 Zhè shì gè hǎo zhǔyì.It's a good idea.
- 我觉得这个主意不错。 Wǒ juéde zhège zhǔyi búcuò.I think that's a good idea.