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思念 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
思念sīniànto think ofHSK 6, n, rank #8501, Hard
思念sīniànto long forHSK 6, n, rank #8501, Hard
思念sīniànto missHSK 6, n, rank #8501, Hard
sīniàn(si1nian4) T1
  1. 1to think of
  2. 2to long for
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March 24, 2026
思念sīniàn(si1nian4)

思念 (sī niàn) refers to the emotional state of missing someone or something, often with a sense of longing or nostalgia. It is commonly used in contexts of love, friendship, or even in connection to places and experiences that one cherishes.

Frequency#8501DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of missing someone is often associated with familial bonds and the significance of home. Festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival emphasize this feeling of 思念 as families gather and reflect on those who are far away.

Memory Tip

Think of '思' as a heart with thoughts (心) swirling around it, indicating deep feelings. '念' can be visualized as a person staring into the distance, reminiscing about someone special. Together, they create a vivid image of someone lost in thought about someone they miss.

Meanings of 思念

sīniàn(si1nian4)
1to think of
2to long for
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 思念

思念Simplified
Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8501Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 思念

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Podcast: 思念

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AI Study Notes for 思念

Quick Contrast

想念 (xiǎng niàn) vs 思念 (sī niàn): use 思念 for a deeper, more emotional longing, while 想念 conveys a more casual sense of missing someone.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of '思' as a heart with thoughts (心) swirling around it, indicating deep feelings. '念' can be visualized as a person staring into the distance, reminiscing about someone special. Together, they create a vivid image of someone lost in thought about someone they miss.

Usage Notes

Be cautious not to confuse 思念 with 念, which can simply mean 'to read' or 'to think about' without the emotional weight. This term is often used in more sentimental contexts, so it's best suited for informal or semi-formal conversations. Common collocations include '思念家乡' (miss home) or '思念亲人' (miss loved ones).

HSK Study Tips

As a Level 6 word, 思念 connects well with other emotional expressions in this HSK category. Focus on using it in sentences that express feelings, and try to create examples that evoke nostalgia or longing, enhancing emotional vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of missing someone is often associated with familial bonds and the significance of home. Festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival emphasize this feeling of 思念 as families gather and reflect on those who are far away.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 思念 with 想念, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '我想念我的家乡' is acceptable, but using 思念 here conveys a stronger emotional connection. Stick to 思念 for deeper feelings of longing.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 思念

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Component Characters

to think
HSK 59 strokes
View full entry
niànto think of, to recall; to study
HSK 58 strokes
View full entry

Write 思念

Practice writing 思念 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 思念

思念 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

正是他对这些事物的____,足以使任何苦痛变甜, 足以医好任何创伤.

The very thought of these things was sufficient to sweeten any bitterness, and heal any wound.

Example Sentences for 思念 (1)

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1
正是他对这些事物的思念,足以使任何苦痛变甜, 足以医好任何创伤.

zhèng shì tā duì zhè xiē shì wù de sī niàn, , zú yǐ shǐ rèn hé kǔ tòng biàn, tián , zú yǐ yī hǎo rèn hé.

The very thought of these things was sufficient to sweeten any bitterness, and heal any wound.

Cultural Notes for 思念

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of missing someone is often associated with familial bonds and the significance of home. Festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival emphasize this feeling of 思念 as families gather and reflect on those who are far away.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, missing someone is often expressed more casually, while in Chinese culture, it can carry a deeper emotional significance tied to family and tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions about 思念

You can say '我很思念我的家乡' (I miss my hometown) to express a longing for your roots.