若有所思
若有所思 (ruò yǒu suǒ sī) literally means “as if having something think” and expresses “lost in thought with a contemplative expression”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: ruo you suo si, ruo you suo si,若有所思 meaning, 若有所思 in english
Lost in thought with a contemplative expression
Pronunciation: ruò yǒu suǒ sī Literal meaning: As if having something think
Origin & Usage
Tang Dynasty poets first captured this contemplative state of appearing as if (若) one has something (有所) occupying their thoughts (思). They used it to depict scholars absorbed in philosophical reflection. Song Dynasty writers expanded its use to describe characters at moments of important realization. The phrase beautifully captures that visible but private moment when someone is clearly processing something significant, yet the specific content remains their own.
When to Use
Situation: After receiving the news, she stared out the window with a contemplative expression
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Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 若有所思 mean in English?
若有所思 (ruò yǒu suǒ sī) literally translates to “As if having something think” and is used to express “Lost in thought with a contemplative expression”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 若有所思 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving lost in thought with a contemplative expression.
What is the pinyin for 若有所思?
The pinyin pronunciation for 若有所思 is “ruò yǒu suǒ sī”.