(niàn) - to think of & to miss

Tone 4

niàn | 8 strokes | radical: 心

· niàn

to think of;

to miss;

to read;

thought;

idea;

remembrance;

to study;

to chant

to think ofto missto read

Usage highlights

to miss someoneto read/studythought/ideato chant scripturesto read aloudto bear a grudge

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • to forget
  • to abandon

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I miss my hometown (想念家乡).
  • He is reading aloud (念书).
  • Keep this in mind (记住这个念头).
  • She chants Buddhist scriptures (念经).

Collocations

  • to miss someone(想念)
  • to read/study(念书)
  • thought/idea(念头)
  • to chant scriptures(念经)
  • to read aloud(念诵)
  • to bear a grudge(记念)

Idioms

  • Never forget(念念不忘)
  • Read without understanding(念兹在兹)
  • Cherish the memory of(念旧)
  • Think thrice before acting(三思而后念)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a person with a hand over the mouth, suggesting speaking from the heart.
  • In Buddhism, '念' refers to mindfulness and chanting scriptures.
  • Commonly used in names to express remembrance, thoughtfulness, or scholarly aspirations.

FAQ