念

唸

niàn

今 + 心

HSK 2.0Level 5

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

niàn (verb) to read aloud; to study

niàn (verb) to miss (someone)

niàn (noun) thought; idea; remembrance

niàn (numeral) twenty (in banking)

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 心 represents the meaning and 今 represents the sound.

About

念 is a phonosemantic compound: the component 心 ('heart; mind') supplies the meaning, and 今 ('now') provides the sound. Originally, it referred to having someone or something actively present in one's mind, giving rise to meanings like 'to think of,' 'ponder,' or 'miss.' Over time, the sense extended to reading aloud, studying, or reciting texts, a development rooted in the practice of vocalizing written words as a way to focus on and absorb their ideas.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我每天念书。

Wǒ měi tiān niàn shū.

I study every day.

妈妈想念你。

Māmā xiǎngniàn nǐ.

Mom misses you.

他在学校念中文。

Tā zài xuéxiào niàn Zhōngwén.

He studies Chinese at school.

我们怀念过去的日子。

Wǒmen huáiniàn guòqù de rìzi.

We miss the past days.

念大学时，我认识了新朋友。

Niàn dàxué shí, wǒ rènshì le xīn péngyǒu.

When I was in college, I made new friends.

她对生活有积极的观念。

Tā duì shēnghuó yǒu jījí de guānniàn.

She has a positive outlook on life.

纪念历史事件很重要。

Jìniàn lìshǐ shìjiàn hěn zhòngyào.

It is important to commemorate historical events.

念及他的贡献，我们深感敬意。

Niàn jí tā de gòngxiàn, wǒmen shēn gǎn jìngyì.

Considering his contributions, we deeply feel respect.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 今

Component: 心

Example Words