---
title: "Shexiang Meaning: 设想 (to imagine) or 摄像 (to film)?"
description: "设想 (traditional 設想, shèxiǎng) means “to imagine; to envisage; idea; tentative plan”. Not the shexiang you heard? See 摄像. Hear its tones, see what 设 and 想 each mean and a real sentence that uses it."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/shexiang"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

[What does it mean in Chinese?](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning)

# What does 设想 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

设想 shèxiǎng

## to imagine; to envisage; idea; tentative plan

## Its characters

1. 设 shè to design
2. 想 xiǎng to think

## In a sentence

我无法设想没有手机的生活。 I can't imagine life without a phone.

[More about 设想](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E8%AE%BE%E6%83%B3)

## Other words said shexiang

- [摄像shèxiàngto film](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E6%91%84%E5%83%8F)

## More words with 设 or 想

- [幻想 huànxiǎng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/huanxiang)
- [回想 huíxiǎng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/huixiang)
- [建设 jiànshè](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/jianshe)
- [假设 jiǎshè](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/jiashe)
- [开设 kāishè](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/kaishe)
- [联想 liánxiǎng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/lianxiang)
- [理想 lǐxiǎng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/lixiang)
- [梦想 mèngxiǎng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/mengxiang)
- [设备 shèbèi](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/shebei)
- [设定 shèdìng](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/sheding)

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