Looking up...
To form a mental image or concept of something not present to the senses or not existing in reality.
孩子们喜欢想象外星人的样子。
Children like to imagine what aliens look like.
作家常常想象一个虚构的世界。
Writers often imagine a fictional world.
Used for both realistic and fantastical scenarios. Can also imply 'to envisage' or 'to picture'.
To believe or assume something is true or likely, often based on incomplete information.
我猜他已经走了，但没人想象他会离开。
I guessed he had left, but no one imagined he would go.
Similar to 'suppose' or 'assume' in this context.
想象 + [noun phrase/ clause] is a common structure. Example: 想象一下未来的生活 (Imagine future life).
Don't translate '想象' as 'think about images' in English. Use 'imagine' or 'picture' instead.
Composed of 想 (xiǎng, 'to think') and 象 (xiàng, 'image'/'shape'). Literally means 'to form an image in one's mind'. First attested in classical Chinese texts.
Used in both everyday speech and creative contexts. Often followed by a noun phrase or clause introduced by '的' (de) to describe the imagined content.