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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'ideal' or 'satisfactory' with 理想 (lǐxiǎng)

    Degree & Intensity
    Description & Modification

    Structure

    不 + 理想

    Explanation

    The adjective 理想 (lǐxiǎng) means "ideal" or "satisfactory," often used to evaluate whether something meets expectations. It frequently appears in negative constructions like 不理想, meaning "not ideal" or "unsatisfactory." For example, 观众也不理想 means "the audience turnout was also unsatisfactory."

    Examples

    • 这次考试的结果不太理想,还需要努力。

      Zhè cì kǎoshì de jiéguǒ bù tài lǐxiǎng, hái xūyào nǔlì.

      The results of this exam were not very ideal; more effort is needed.

    • 如果天气理想的话,我们就去爬山。

      Rúguǒ tiānqì lǐxiǎng de huà, wǒmen jiù qù páshān.

      If the weather is ideal, we'll go hiking.

    • 目前的销售情况很不理想,得想想办法。

      Mùqián de xiāoshòu qíngkuàng hěn bù lǐxiǎng, děi xiǎngxiang bànfǎ.

      The current sales situation is far from ideal; we need to think of a solution.

    Expressing 'ideal' or 'satisfactory' with 理想 (lǐxiǎng) | Chinese Grammar