思维 (sīwéi)

思维 refers to the process of thinking or cognition, and can also describe a person's particular way of thinking, mental framework, or mindset, often used in academic, educational, and intellectual contexts.

Meanings

[noun] thinking; thought; cognitive process
[noun] mindset; way of thinking; mental approach

Example Sentences

批判性思维是现代教育的核心目标之一，能帮助学生独立分析问题。 Pīpànxìng sīwéi shì xiàndài jiàoyù de héxīn mùbiāo zhī yī, néng bāngzhù xuéshēng dúlì fēnxī wèntí. Critical thinking is one of the core goals of modern education, helping students analyze problems independently.

这道数学题需要灵活运用逻辑思维，而不是死记公式。 Zhè dào shùxué tí xūyào línghuó yùnyòng luójí sīwéi, ér bùshì sǐ jì gōngshì. This math problem requires flexible application of logical thinking, not rote memorization of formulas.

阅读优秀的文学作品可以开拓人的思维，培养更丰富的想象力。 Yuèdú yōuxiù de wénxué zuòpǐn kěyǐ kāituò rén de sīwéi, péiyǎng gèng fēngfù de xiǎngxiànglì. Reading excellent literary works can broaden one's thinking and cultivate a richer imagination.

跨文化交流有助于打破固有思维定势，以更开放的眼光看待世界。 Kuà wénhuà jiāoliú yǒuzhù yú dǎpò gùyǒu sīwéi dìngshì, yǐ gèng kāifàng de yǎnguāng kàndài shìjiè. Cross-cultural exchange helps break fixed thinking patterns and view the world with a more open perspective.

创新思维是推动科技发展和社会进步的重要动力。 Chuàngxīn sīwéi shì tuīdòng kējì fāzhǎn hé shèhuì jìnbù de zhòngyào dònglì. Innovative thinking is an important driving force behind technological development and social progress.

他的思维非常敏锐，总能在复杂的情况中迅速找到核心问题。 Tā de sīwéi fēicháng mǐnruì, zǒng néng zài fùzá de qíngkuàng zhōng xùnsù zhǎodào héxīn wèntí. His thinking is very sharp; he can always quickly identify the core problem in complex situations.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
批判性思维	critical thinking
逻辑思维	logical thinking
创新思维	innovative thinking
思维方式	way of thinking; mindset
思维定势	fixed mindset; mental set
开拓思维	to broaden one's thinking

Usage Notes

思维 is a more abstract and formal term than 想法 (idea/thought) or 想象 (imagination). It refers to the cognitive process or mode of thinking itself, rather than a specific thought. It is commonly paired with adjectives like 批判性 (critical), 逻辑性 (logical), and 创新性 (innovative).

思维 appears frequently in academic and educational discourse. The fixed phrase 思维定势 (thinking in a fixed pattern/mental rut) is a useful compound at this level, describing the tendency to approach problems in the same habitual way.

Memory Hook

思 (to think) + 维 (to maintain/dimension) — 思维 is the mental dimension one maintains when thinking deeply.