思维 (sīwéi)

思维 refers to thinking as a cognitive activity or faculty, and to the characteristic modes or patterns in which thinking operates. It is more abstract and encompassing than 思路 (a specific train of thought) and is used in psychology, education, philosophy, and everyday discourse about the mind.

Meanings

[n] thinking, thought (the cognitive process or faculty)
[n] mode of thinking, mindset (a characteristic pattern of thought)

Example Sentences

批判性思维是现代教育的核心目标之一，但其培养方式至今仍有争议。 Pīpàn xìng sīwéi shì xiàndài jiàoyù de héxīn mùbiāo zhī yī, dàn qí péiyǎng fāngshì zhìjīn réng yǒu zhēngyì. Critical thinking is one of the core goals of modern education, but the way to cultivate it remains controversial.

长期的应试教育可能会限制学生的创造性思维，使其习惯于寻求唯一正确答案。 Chángqī de yìngshì jiàoyù kěnéng huì xiànzhì xuéshēng de chuàngzào xìng sīwéi, shǐ qí xíguàn yú xúnqiú wéiyī zhèngquè dá'àn. Long-term exam-oriented education may restrict students' creative thinking, making them accustomed to seeking a single correct answer.

这位哲学家认为，语言不仅表达思维，更从根本上塑造和制约思维的边界。 Zhè wèi zhéxuéjiā rènwéi, yǔyán bùjǐn biǎodá sīwéi, gèng cóng gēnběn shàng sùzào hé zhìyuē sīwéi de biānjìe. This philosopher argues that language not only expresses thought but fundamentally shapes and constrains the boundaries of thought.

逻辑思维与形象思维并非对立，优秀的科学家和艺术家往往兼而有之。 Luójí sīwéi yǔ xíngiàng sīwéi bìng fēi duìlì, yōuxiù de kēxuéjiā hé yìshùjiā wǎngwǎng jiān ér yǒu zhī. Logical thinking and imaginative thinking are not mutually exclusive; outstanding scientists and artists often possess both.

固化的思维模式是创新最大的障碍，需要刻意的训练才能突破。 Gùhuà de sīwéi móshì shì chuàngxīn zuìdà de zhàng'ài, xūyào kèyì de xùnliàn cái néng túpò. Rigid thinking patterns are the greatest obstacle to innovation and require deliberate training to break through.

跨文化交流的本质在于理解并尊重不同思维方式背后的文化逻辑。 Kuà wénhuà jiāoliú de běnzhì zàiyú lǐjiě bìng zūnzhòng bùtóng sīwéi fāngshì bèihòu de wénhuà luóji. The essence of cross-cultural communication lies in understanding and respecting the cultural logic behind different modes of thinking.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
批判性思维	critical thinking
创造性思维	creative thinking
逻辑思维	logical thinking
思维方式	mode of thinking, mindset

Usage Notes

思维 is typically a mass noun in Chinese (no article or measure word needed) and is used in both academic and everyday speech. The compound 思维方式 (mode of thinking) is extremely common in discussions of culture, education, and psychology. Distinguish 思维 from 思想 (sīxiǎng): 思想 often refers to a specific ideology, system of thought, or the content of ideas (毛泽东思想), while 思维 refers to the process or capacity for thinking.

At C1 level, learners should be comfortable discussing 思维定势 (thinking set/mental fixation) and 发散性思维 (divergent thinking) in academic essays.

Memory Hook

思 (to think) + 维 (to maintain/dimension) — 思维 is the multidimensional fabric of thought, the ongoing activity of maintaining ideas in your mind.