idea

Compared meaning: a thought or plan in the mind (noun).

比较义项：想法、念头（n.）。

• idea 本词

  Idea usually names a specific formed plan, suggestion or solution - often called good, great, brilliant or terrible - and pairs with verbs like 'have', 'come up with' or 'suggest'.

  idea通常指一个具体成形的计划、建议或解决方案，常用good、great、brilliant、terrible等词修饰，也常与have、come up with、suggest等动词搭配使用。

  She came up with a clever idea to raise money for the animal shelter.

  她想出了一个聪明的主意，为动物收容所筹集资金。

• thought

  Thought often describes a spontaneous mental occurrence with an emotional or nagging quality (a troubling, strange or sudden thought), rather than a deliberately formed plan.

  thought常用来描述突然浮现、带有情绪色彩的念头（如troubling、strange、sudden等修饰的thought），而不是刻意形成的计划，这一点与idea不同。

  A troubling thought kept nagging at her all afternoon.

  一个令人不安的想法整个下午都困扰着她。

Idea and thought both name something in the mind. Idea usually means a specific, clear plan or suggestion, often called good or great. Thought describes a sudden or emotional notion, not a deliberate plan. No idea and a thoughtful gesture are other meanings, not compared.

idea和thought在“想法”这个意义上很接近，都指头脑中形成的想法，但语气和用法略有不同：idea多指一个具体、成形、有目的的主意或方案，thought更强调偶然浮现或带有情绪色彩的念头。这里不比较idea表示“完全不知道”（no idea）或thought表示“体贴、关心”（a thoughtful gesture）等其他意义。