思念

sīniàn

to think of

HSK 6

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"思念" primarily means to think of someone or something with longing or affection. It often conveys a deep emotional connection, such as missing family, friends, or a place. It is more emotional and poetic than simply "think".

Common Contexts

People use "思念" when talking about missing loved ones, expressing nostalgia, or describing heartfelt emotions. It frequently appears in letters, poems, and conversations about relationships.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 思念 (to miss family): used when expressing longing for family members.
  • 思念故乡 (to long for hometown): common in contexts of nostalgia.
  • 思念 (deeply miss): emphasizes the intensity of the feeling.

Nuances

"思念" implies a warm, sometimes bittersweet feeling. It is more intimate than general words for "think" and often involves emotional depth. Avoid using it for casual or neutral thinking.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse "思念" with "想念"; both mean to miss or think of, but "思念" is often more poetic and emotional, while "想念" is more common in everyday speech.

Example Sentences

我每天都在思念远方的家人。

Wǒ měitiān dōu zài sīniàn yuǎnfāng de jiārén.

I think of my family far away every day.

思念是一种深刻的情感,常常让人感到温暖又忧伤。

Sīniàn shì yī zhǒng shēnkè de qínggǎn, chángcháng ràng rén gǎndào

Missing someone is a deep feeling that often makes people feel warm yet sad.

他写了一封信,表达对故乡的思念。

Tā xiěle yī fēng xìn, biǎodá duì gùxiāng de sīniàn.

He wrote a letter expressing his longing for his hometown.