The word 想念 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a layer of meaning about thought and memory, to create a new, blended concept. The first character, 想, primarily means "to think" or "to miss", often involving the mind's active reflection. The second, 念, means "to remember" or "to recall", carrying a nuance of holding something in thought. When placed together, they reinforce and deepen each other, moving beyond simple recollection to express the heartfelt emotional state of actively thinking of and longing for someone or something that is absent.