想念 xiǎngniàn to miss
to miss; to remember with longing; to long to see again
How to remember 想念: 想 think about + 念 to think of = to miss.
Characters
How it is used
- To miss someone/somewhere you're apart from - 我很想念家乡 (wǒ hěn xiǎngniàn jiāxiāng) I miss my hometown.
- Warm, longing register, a touch literary. Everyday speech often just uses 想 (xiǎng): 我想你 I miss you. 想念 adds weight/wistfulness.
- Distinguish from 怀念 (huáiniàn, to reminisce fondly about the past/deceased): 想念 is longing for something you could still reach.
Example sentences
- 我想念他。 Wǒ xiǎngniàn tā.I miss him.
- 我想念你。 Wǒ xiǎngniàn nǐ.I miss you.
- 我那么想念她。 Wǒ nàme xiǎngniàn tā.I miss her so much.