Meanings of 想念
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Podcast: 想念
Podcast: 想念
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AI Study Notes for 想念
思念 (sīniàn) — use 想念 when expressing a more personal or emotional longing; use 思念 for a more general sense of missing someone or something.
Be careful not to confuse 想念 with just 想 (xiǎng), which means 'to think' or 'to want.' 想念 is more emotional and specific to missing something or someone. It's often used in informal conversations but can be appropriate in formal contexts as well.
As an HSK 5 word, 想念 connects to other higher-level vocabulary related to emotions and relationships. Focus on using it in sentences that express feelings, such as '我想念我的家' (I miss my home), to enhance your fluency.
Learners often confuse 想念 with 忘记 (wàngjì), which means 'to forget.' For example, saying '我想念他，所以我忘记他' (I miss him, so I forget him) is incorrect. The correct usage would be '我想念他' (I miss him).
Pronunciation of 想念
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Jason Explains 想念 to You
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Component Characters
How to say to miss in Chinese
“to miss” in Chinese is想念
想念 (xiǎngniàn) expresses a deep emotional longing for someone or something that is absent. It is commonly used when talking about missing family, friends, or places, conveying a sense of nostalgia and affection.
When to use 想念
Be careful not to confuse 想念 with just 想 (xiǎng), which means 'to think' or 'to want.' 想念 is more emotional and specific to missing something or someone. It's often used in informal conversations but can be appropriate in formal contexts as well.
想念 or something close to it
思念 (sīniàn) — use 想念 when expressing a more personal or emotional longing; use 思念 for a more general sense of missing someone or something.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 想念 with 忘记 (wàngjì), which means 'to forget.' For example, saying '我想念他，所以我忘记他' (I miss him, so I forget him) is incorrect. The correct usage would be '我想念他' (I miss him).
Write 想念
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Practice writing 想念 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 想念
想念 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
妈妈无时无刻不在____着国外留学的孩子。
The mother thinks about her child studying abroad at every single moment.
Example Sentences for 想念 (6)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 想念
想念 can be used for both people and places, though it is more commonly used for people.
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