思索 (sī suǒ) — to ponder; to think deeply

Definition

Literary verb for 'to ponder' — close to 思考 but more written in tone; stronger and more inward than everyday 想想. Often pairs with 认真, 独自.

verb

to ponderto think deeply

思索。
Tā dú zì sī suǒ le hěn jiǔ.
He pondered alone for a long time.
思索。
Zhè ge wèn tí zhí dé rèn zhēn sī suǒ.
This problem deserves serious thought.
思索，。
Tā sī suǒ le yí yè, zhōng yú xiǎng chū le bàn fǎ.
He pondered all night and finally came up with a solution.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

思 means to think and 索 means to search or explore, so 思索 means to think deeply about something.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

心心xīnheart

Sound part声符shēngfú

囟

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 思, 心 (heart) points to thinking, while the top part is a changed form of 囟, which supplied the sound.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

索 combines 糸 (thread) and 𣎳 (stripping fibres from a hemp stalk), showing threads or rope being pulled out from a fabric.

Appears in