若有所思

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

---

Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.