Definition
浮想联翩 is a four-character idiom (成语) that describes a state where ideas, memories, or fantasies continuously arise in one’s mind, like a cascade. It’s often used in literary or reflective contexts — after reading a moving story, viewing a beautiful scene, or recalling the past. The literal images are 'floating thoughts linked in flocks', but the real meaning is 'a stream of thoughts and associations'.
f.e.
thoughts thronging one's minda stream of ideas and fantasies
Examples
- ,,浮想联翩。Dú wán nà běn xiǎoshuō, wǒ jiǔjiǔ huíwèi, bùjīn fú xiǎng lián piān.After finishing that novel, I savored it for a long time and couldn't help but have a stream of thoughts.
- ,,浮想联翩。Zhàn zài shāndǐng yuǎntiào, yúnhǎi fānténg, ràng rén fú xiǎng lián piān.Standing on the mountaintop and gazing into the distance, with the sea of clouds churning, one's mind is filled with thoughts.
- ,,浮想联翩。Fān kàn lǎo zhàopiàn, tóngnián wǎngshì lìlì zàimù, bùjué fú xiǎng lián piān.Flipping through old photos, childhood memories came vividly to mind, and I unconsciously had a flood of thoughts.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.