思虑 (sī lǜ) — to consider carefully; to contemplate; to deliberate

Definition

思虑 (sīlǜ) is a formal, written verb meaning 'to deliberate / think through carefully' — more literary than 思考 and stronger than 想. It emphasizes deep, prolonged thinking rather than a quick mental act.

verb
to consider carefullyto contemplateto deliberate

Examples

  • ，思虑。
    Zuò jué dìng zhī qián, nǐ yīng gāi zǐ xì sī lǜ yí xià.
    You should think it over carefully before making a decision.
  • 思虑，。
    Tā sī lǜ guò dù, yǐng xiǎng le shuì mián.
    He overthought things, which affected his sleep.
  • 思虑。
    Zhè ge wèn tí xū yào wǒ men rèn zhēn sī lǜ.
    This problem requires us to think it through seriously.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéSide by side

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

思sīthink
虑lǜconsider

思 and 虑 both point to thinking, together emphasizing careful consideration.

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
囟xìn思sī
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.

Open 思 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 慮; 虑 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
思思sīto think
Sound part声符shēngfú
虍
虍hū慮lǜ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 慮 puts 思 (think) with 虍, which gives the sound; the simplified 虑 is a later shorthand.

Open 虑 →

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