Definition
异想天开 (yì xiǎng tiān kāi) describes an idea that is wildly unrealistic or impossible — often a grand fantasy. 胡思乱想 (hú sī luàn xiǎng) is more about groundless, disordered thoughts lacking logic, rather than ambitious fantasies. While both mean 'unrealistic', 异想天开 carries a hint of creative imagination, whereas 胡思乱想 is purely irrational.
phrase
to have a wildly unrealistic ideato indulge in fantasywishful thinking
Examples
- ,异想天开。Tā jūrán xiǎng yí gè yuè xuéhuì Fǎyǔ, zhēn shì yì xiǎng tiān kāi.He actually thinks he can learn French in a month — that's pure wishful thinking.
- 异想天开,。Bié yì xiǎng tiān kāi le, zhège jìhuà gēnběn xíng bu tōng.Stop daydreaming — this plan will never work.
- 异想天开,。Tā zǒng yǒu yìxiē yì xiǎng tiān kāi de xiǎngfǎ, dàn cóng bù xíngdòng.She always has some wildly unrealistic ideas, but never takes action.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.