异想天开
yì xiǎng tiān kāi
Wild impractical ideas · trad. 異想天開
Ideas or plans that are extremely imaginative, unrealistic, or far-fetched are often described using this idiom. It suggests a lack of practicality and often implies a touch of fantasy or absurdity.
What does 异想天开 (yì xiǎng tiān kāi) mean?
异想天开 (yì xiǎng tiān kāi) means "wild impractical ideas" in English. Word for word, it breaks down as "unusual thoughts open up the sky."
Character by character
- 异 yì unusual, strange
- 想 xiǎng thought, idea
- 天 tiān sky, heaven
- 开 kāi open, unfold
When to use it
Use this to comment on someone's thoughts or proposals that are highly impractical or fantastical. It can be slightly critical, suggesting the ideas are not grounded in reality, but can also be used playfully for extremely creative, albeit impossible, concepts.
Example
这可谓异想天开了。
Zhè kěwèi yì xiǎng tiān kāi le.
This could truly be called a wild idea.
Pro tip: The idiom often implies a negative or skeptical judgment about the feasibility of an idea, rather than simply noting its creativity.
Related idioms
一手遮天 · Abusing power to deceive一五一十 · Full detailed account一心一意 · Single-minded focus
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