抽象 (chōuxiàng)

抽象 describes something that is conceptual, theoretical, or not tied to concrete physical reality. It is the opposite of 具体 (concrete/specific), and refers to ideas, art, or concepts that require imagination or intellectual reasoning to grasp.

Meanings

[adjective] abstract; not concrete; conceptual; theoretical
[verb] to abstract; to extract the essential qualities from something
[noun] abstraction

Example Sentences

哲学中的很多概念非常抽象，需要通过具体的例子才能帮助学生理解。 Zhéxué zhōng de hěn duō gàiniàn fēicháng chōuxiàng, xūyào tōngguò jùtǐ de lìzi cái néng bāngzhù xuéshēng lǐjiě. Many philosophical concepts are very abstract and require concrete examples to help students understand.

这幅抽象画作乍看之下令人费解，但细细品味后却能感受到强烈的情感张力。 Zhè fú chōuxiàng huàzuò zhà kàn zhīxià lìng rén fèijiě, dàn xìxì pǐnwèi hòu què néng gǎnshòu dào qiángliè de qínggǎn zhānglì. This abstract painting seems baffling at first glance, but upon careful reflection one can feel its strong emotional tension.

要把抽象的理论转化为可行的实践方案，需要丰富的经验和创造力。 Yào bǎ chōuxiàng de lǐlùn zhuǎnhuà wéi kěxíng de shíjiàn fāng'àn, xūyào fēngfù de jīngyàn hé chuàngzào lì. Transforming abstract theories into viable practical solutions requires rich experience and creativity.

人工智能能够处理大量数据，但对抽象思维的理解仍然远不及人类。 Réngōng zhìnéng nénggòu chǔlǐ dàliàng shùjù, dàn duì chōuxiàng sīwéi de lǐjiě réngrán yuǎn bùjí rénlèi. Artificial intelligence can process vast amounts of data, but its understanding of abstract thinking still falls far short of that of humans.

数学是一门高度抽象的学科，其美妙之处在于用简洁的公式描述复杂的规律。 Shùxué shì yī mén gāodù chōuxiàng de xuékē, qí měimiào zhī chù zàiyú yòng jiǎnjié de gōngshì miáoshù fùzá de guīlǜ. Mathematics is a highly abstract discipline, whose beauty lies in describing complex patterns with concise formulas.

她擅长将复杂抽象的概念用生动浅显的语言表达出来，深受学生喜爱。 Tā shàncháng jiāng fùzá chōuxiàng de gàiniàn yòng shēngdòng qiǎnxiǎn de yǔyán biǎodá chūlái, shēn shòu xuéshēng xǐ'ài. She excels at expressing complex, abstract concepts in vivid and accessible language, and is very popular with students.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
抽象思维	abstract thinking
抽象概念	abstract concept
抽象画	abstract painting
高度抽象	highly abstract
抽象与具体	abstract and concrete
抽象艺术	abstract art

Usage Notes

抽象 is the direct opposite of 具体 (concrete/specific). At B2 level, this pair is important for discussing ideas, argumentation, and critical thinking. When a teacher says 太抽象了 (too abstract), it means the explanation is too vague or theoretical and needs specific examples.

In art, 抽象画 (abstract painting) and 抽象艺术 (abstract art) are common terms. In cognitive science and education, 抽象思维 (abstract thinking) is an important concept.

Memory Hook

抽 (to draw out/extract) + 象 (appearance/image) — 抽象 is drawing out the essential image from reality, leaving behind the concrete details.