想入非非

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: xiǎng rù fēi fēi
• English Translation: To indulge in wild fantasies (to have one's head in the clouds)
• Idiom Composition: 「想」（To think, imagine, or desire.）＋「入」（To enter or to reach a certain state.）＋「非非」（An abbreviation of the Buddhist realm 'neither thought nor non-thought'; in modern context, it refers to an illusory or unrealistic world.）
• Meaning: To allow one's imagination to run wild with unrealistic or improper thoughts. Originally a Buddhist term describing a high state of meditation, in modern usage it carries a derogatory nuance, referring to dreaming of the impossible or harboring indecent fantasies.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「想入非非」 contains the following nuances:

• Escapist Fantasies: Refers to imagining things that are impossible or far beyond one's actual abilities.
• Impure Motives: Depending on the context, it can imply sexual delusions or morally questionable schemes.

3. Usage

「想入非非」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Unrealistic Expectations: Used to criticize those who dream of success or luck without putting in the necessary effort.
  • Example:「他不肯脚踏实地工作，整天想入非非，盼着能中大奖。」
    （He refuses to work hard and instead spends all day indulging in wild fantasies, hoping to win the lottery.）
• Romantic Delusions: Often used when someone misinterprets a polite gesture as romantic interest or harbors improper thoughts.
  • Example:「别看人家对你笑了一下就开始想入非非，那只是礼貌而已。」
    （Don't start letting your imagination run wild just because she smiled at you; that was only politeness.）
• Impossible Plans: Used as a warning against unscientific inventions or reckless business plans.
  • Example:「想发明永动机简直是想入非非，违背了物理规律。」
    （Trying to invent a perpetual motion machine is simply wishful thinking; it violates the laws of physics.）

Additional Examples:

1. 你与其坐在这里想入非非，不如立刻行动起来。
   （Rather than sitting here lost in daydreams, you should take action immediately.）
2. 看到那笔巨款，他不禁有些想入非非，动了贪念。
   （Seeing that huge sum of money, he couldn't help but harbor improper thoughts and felt a surge of greed.）
3. 这种想入非非的计划根本不可能得到批准。
   （Such an unrealistic plan has no chance of being approved.）
4. 少在那儿想入非非了，快去写作业！
   （Stop fantasizing and go do your homework!）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Origin: This idiom originally comes from the Shurangama Sutra (楞严经), a Buddhist text. It referred to the 'Realm of Neither Thought nor Non-Thought' (非想非非想处 - fēi xiǎng fēi fēi xiǎng chù), a highly abstract state of meditation.
• Semantic Shift: Over time, this 'realm beyond ordinary understanding' was reinterpreted by the public to mean 'entering a world that doesn't exist' or 'thinking about things that make no sense.'
• Modern Nuance: In contemporary Chinese, the lofty spiritual meaning is entirely lost. It is now used almost exclusively in a derogatory sense to describe someone who is delusional, unrealistic, or harboring improper motives.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 异想天开 (yì xiǎng tiān kāi): To have a bizarre or whimsical idea; can be used positively (originality) or negatively (absurdity).link
  • 胡思乱想 (hú sī luàn xiǎng): To let one's mind wander or to worry about groundless things.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 脚踏实地 (jiǎo tà shí dì): To have one's feet on the ground; to do things in a steady, down-to-earth manner.link
  • 实事求是 (shí shì qiú shì): To seek truth from facts; to be practical and realistic.link

6. Summary

The idiom 想入非非 (xiǎng rù fēi fēi) is used to criticize someone for being lost in unrealistic daydreams or improper delusions. While it originated from Buddhist philosophy, its modern meaning has shifted toward the negative, often describing people who chase impossible dreams or misinterpret social cues as romantic interest.