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挂念 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
挂念guàniànconcernedHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #14112, Very Hard
guàniàn(gua4nian4)gua nian T4
  1. 1concerned
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March 24, 2026

挂念(掛念)guàniàn(gua4nian4)

挂念 (guàniàn) means to be concerned or to have someone on one's mind. It is often used to express a feeling of worry or care for someone who is not present. This phrase conveys a deeper emotional connection, indicating that the speaker is actively thinking about the well-being of someone else.

Strokes17Frequency#14112DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, expressing concern for others is a significant aspect of maintaining relationships. The phrase 挂念 reflects the importance placed on caring for family and friends, often exemplified during festivals or family gatherings when people inquire about each other’s well-being.

Memory tip

Imagine you're hanging a picture (挂) of a dear friend on your wall, but you can't stop thinking about how they are doing (念). The picture represents that constant worry or concern you have for them, making it easier to remember both the form and the meaning.

Meanings of 挂念

guàniàn(gua4nian4)
1concerned
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About 挂念

挂念Simplified
掛念Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 挂念

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Podcast: 挂念

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AI study notes for 挂念

Quick Contrast

惦念 (diànniàn) vs 挂念 (guàniàn): use 挂念 when expressing a deeper emotional concern for someone, while 惦念 conveys a more general sense of thinking about someone.

Usage Notes

This phrase is typically used in informal contexts among friends or family. A common mistake is to confuse it with related words like 念念不忘 (niànniànbùwàng), which means to be unable to forget. Be mindful of the tones: the correct pronunciation is guà (4th tone) and niàn (4th tone).

HSK Study Tips

Although 挂念 is not a specific HSK word, it connects well with HSK Level 4 vocabulary related to emotions and relationships. Focus on using it in sentences to express concern for others, reinforcing both vocabulary and grammar structures.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 挂念 in formal contexts, where more formal expressions of concern would be appropriate. For example, saying '我挂念你的工作' (I am concerned about your work) can sound too casual; a more formal phrase would be '我对你的工作很关心' (I care about your work).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 挂念

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Component characters

挂guàto hang or suspend (from a hook etc)
HSK 49 strokes扌
View full entry
念niànto think of, to recall; to study
HSK 58 strokes心
View full entry

How to say concerned in Chinese

“concerned” in Chinese is挂念guàniàn

挂念 (guàniàn) means to be concerned or to have someone on one's mind. It is often used to express a feeling of worry or care for someone who is not present. This phrase conveys a deeper emotional connection, indicating that the speaker is actively thinking about the well-being of someone else.

When to use 挂念

This phrase is typically used in informal contexts among friends or family. A common mistake is to confuse it with related words like 念念不忘 (niànniànbùwàng), which means to be unable to forget. Be mindful of the tones: the correct pronunciation is guà (4th tone) and niàn (4th tone).

挂念 or something close to it

惦念 (diànniàn) vs 挂念 (guàniàn): use 挂念 when expressing a deeper emotional concern for someone, while 惦念 conveys a more general sense of thinking about someone.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 挂念 in formal contexts, where more formal expressions of concern would be appropriate. For example, saying '我挂念你的工作' (I am concerned about your work) can sound too casual; a more formal phrase would be '我对你的工作很关心' (I care about your work).

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念

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Frequently asked questions about 挂念

It's better to use it for people you know well, as it conveys a deeper emotional connection.

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