Thinking
Definition
Thinking refers to the process of using reasoning, judgment, or imagination to make decisions, solve problems, or form ideas. It can also describe a person’s opinions or beliefs.
Parts of Speech
- Noun
- Verb (present participle of "think")
- Adjective (used to describe intellectual engagement)
Pronunciation
American English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈθɪŋ.kɪŋ/
- Respelling: THING-king
British English
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈθɪŋ.kɪŋ/
- Respelling: THING-king
Etymology
The word "thinking" derives from the Old English "þencan," meaning "to conceive or consider," from Proto-Germanic "*thankjaną." The concept has evolved through centuries to represent intellectual processes and rationality.
Derivatives
- Thought (noun)
- Thinker (noun)
- Thoughtful (adjective)
- Rethinking (noun/verb)
- Overthinking (noun/verb)
Synonyms
- Reasoning
- Contemplation
- Reflection
Antonyms
- Ignorance
- Thoughtlessness
- None
Usage
The noun "thinking" often refers to intellectual activity or opinions. For example, "Critical thinking is essential for solving complex problems."
As a verb, "thinking" describes the ongoing process of considering or reasoning. For example, "She is thinking about taking a gap year."
As an adjective, "thinking" refers to someone engaged in intellectual pursuits. For example, "A thinking person questions societal norms."
Related Terms
- Reason: The power of the mind to form judgments logically.
- Analysis: The detailed examination of concepts or ideas.
- Philosophy: The study of fundamental ideas about knowledge and existence.
Detailed Definitions
Noun
- The process of using the mind to reason or decide: Refers to intellectual activity.
- Example: "Her thinking was influenced by modern philosophy."
- Beliefs or opinions: Represents one’s stance or viewpoint on a topic.
- Example: "Their thinking on climate change is progressive."
Verb (present participle of 'think')
- Engaging in thought or reasoning: The act of considering or forming ideas.
- Example: "I’m thinking about how to approach the project."
Adjective
- Engaged in intellectual activity or reflection: Describes a person or concept involved in deep reasoning.
- Example: "The article is meant for a thinking audience."
thinking
Her thinking was influenced by modern philosophy.
Their thinking on climate change is progressive.
I’m thinking about how to approach the project.
🇨🇳 Mandarin Chinese
- 思考 (sīkǎo) - Thinking (as in pondering or considering something)
- IPA Pronunciation: /sɨ˥kaʊ˥˩/
- English Respelling: see-kao
- 想 (xiǎng) - Thinking (as in having a thought or idea)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɕjɑŋ˨˩˦/
- English Respelling: shyang
🇮🇳 Hindi
- सोचना (sochna) - Thinking (general term)
- IPA Pronunciation: /soːtʃnaː/
- English Respelling: soach-naa
- विचार करना (vichar karna) - Thinking (as in pondering or considering)
- IPA Pronunciation: /vɪtʃaːr kərːnaː/
- English Respelling: veechar-kur-naa
🇪🇸 Spanish
- Pensar - Thinking (general term)
- IPA Pronunciation: /penˈsaɾ/
- English Respelling: pen-sar
- Reflexionar - Thinking (as in reflecting or pondering)
- IPA Pronunciation: /refleksjoˈnaɾ/
- English Respelling: reflek-syo-nar
🇫🇷 French
- Penser - Thinking (general term)
- IPA Pronunciation: /pɑ̃.se/
- English Respelling: pon-say
- Réfléchir - Thinking (as in reflecting or pondering)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʁe.fle.ʃiʁ/
- English Respelling: re-fle-sheer
🇸🇦 Modern Standard Arabic
- التفكير (altafkeer) - Thinking (general term)
- IPA Pronunciation: /alˈtaf.kiːr/
- English Respelling: al-taf-keer
- الأفكار (al'afkar) - Thinking (as in thoughts or ideas)
- IPA Pronunciation: /alʔafˈkaːr/
- English Respelling: al-af-kar
🇧🇩 Bengali
- চিন্তা করা (chinta kora) - Thinking (general term)
- IPA Pronunciation: /tʃɪn̪t̪a kɔra/
- English Respelling: chinta kora
- ভাবা (bhaba) - Thinking (as in considering or pondering)
- IPA Pronunciation: /bʱaba/
- English Respelling: bhaba
🇷🇺 Russian
- Думать (Dumat') - Thinking (general term)
- IPA Pronunciation: /duˈmatʲ/
- English Respelling: doo-mat'
- Размышлять (Razmyshlyat') - Thinking (as in pondering or considering)
- IPA Pronunciation: /rɐzˈmɨʂlʲætʲ/
- English Respelling: raz-mish-lyat'
🇵🇹 Portuguese
- Pensar - Thinking (general term)
- IPA Pronunciation: /pẽˈsaɾ/
- English Respelling: pen-sar
- Refletir - Thinking (as in reflecting or pondering)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ʁɛflɨˈtiɾ/
- English Respelling: re-fle-teer
🇮🇩 Indonesian
- Berpikir - Thinking (general term)
- IPA Pronunciation: /bər'pikir/
- English Respelling: ber-pee-keer
- Memikirkan - Thinking (as in pondering or considering)
- IPA Pronunciation: /məmikirkan/
- English Respelling: me-mee-keer-kan
🇩🇪 German
- Denken - Thinking (general term)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˈdɛŋkən/
- English Respelling: deng-ken
- Überlegen - Thinking (as in reflecting or pondering)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ˌyːbɐˈleːgən/
- English Respelling: ue-ber-lay-gen
🇯🇵 Japanese
- 考える (Kangaeru) - Thinking (general term)
- IPA Pronunciation: /kaŋaeɾɯ̟ᵝ/
- English Respelling: kangaeru
- 思う (Omou) - Thinking (as in having a thought or idea)
- IPA Pronunciation: /omoɯ̟ᵝ/
- English Respelling: omou
🇻🇳 Vietnamese
- Suy nghĩ - Thinking (general term)
- IPA Pronunciation: /soi ŋiː˧ˀ˨ʔ/
- English Respelling: sooee nghee
- Nghĩ ra - Thinking (as in having a thought or idea)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ŋiː˧ˀ˨ʔ raː˧˨/
- English Respelling: nghee ra
🇰🇷 Korean
- 생각하다 (saenggakhada) - Thinking (general term)
- IPA Pronunciation: /sʰɛŋ.gɐk̚.hɐ.da/
- English Respelling: sayng-gak-ha-da
- 고민하다 (gominhada) - Thinking (as in pondering or considering)
- IPA Pronunciation: /ɡo.min.ha.da/
- English Respelling: go-min-ha-da
🇹🇷 Turkish
- Düşünmek - Thinking (general term)
- IPA Pronunciation: /dyʃynmek/
- English Respelling: dyoo-shoon-mek
- Tasarlamak - Thinking (as in planning or considering)
- IPA Pronunciation: /taːsaɾlaːmak/
- English Respelling: ta-sar-la-mak
🇵🇰 Urdu
- سوچنا (sochna) - Thinking (general term)
- IPA Pronunciation: /soːtʃnaː/
- English Respelling: soach-naa
- خیال کرنا (khayal karna) - Thinking (as in pondering or considering)
- IPA Pronunciation: /xaːjaːl kəɾnaː/
- English Respelling: khayal kur-naa
