左思右想

zuǒsīyòuxiǎng
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 to think it over from every angle
  2. 2 to mull over
  3. 3 to ponder left and right

Examples

Tā zuǒsīyòuxiǎng, zuìhòu háishì juédìng cízhí.
He thought it over from every angle and finally decided to quit.
Zuǒsīyòuxiǎng yě xiǎng bu chū dá'àn.
Think as I might, I couldn't come up with an answer.

Tips

history
From Feng Menglong's Ming historical novel 《东周列国》 chapter 88: 左思右想 — 'he thought it over from every angle, looking for a way out'.
memory
Literal: 'left think, right think'. Picture someone shaking their head slowly side to side while pondering.

Stroke Order

zuǒ
yòu
xiǎng