Meaning of 怀念
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to cherish the memory of
- to think of
- to reminisce
How to use 怀念
怀念 is used for people, places, or times that are gone or far away, and it often carries a warm, nostalgic feeling. It usually takes a direct object. Example: 我很怀念大学的生活。(Wǒ hěn huáiniàn dàxué de shēnghuó.) I really miss my university life.
怀 (huái) has the heart radical 忄 and means to hold in your heart or bosom, and 念 (niàn) has 心 (heart) at the bottom with 今 (now) on top. Together they picture holding something in your heart and bringing it into the present, which is cherishing a memory.
Common mistake: Learners often use 怀念 for someone they will see again soon, like a friend on a short trip. In that case 想念 (xiǎngniàn) or 想 (xiǎng) sounds more natural, because 怀念 suggests something in the past or someone who has passed away.
怀念 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
怀 huái · bosom · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
念 niàn · to read · 8 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Related words
Words that share a character with 怀念.
| 纪念 | jìniàn | to commemorate; to honor the memory of; memento; keepsake; souvenir |
| 概念 | gàiniàn | concept; idea |
| 观念 | guānniàn | notion; thought |
| 怀疑 | huáiyí | to doubt (sth); to be skeptical of; to have one's doubts; to harbor suspicions; to suspect |
| 想念 | xiǎngniàn | to miss; to remember with longing |
| 信念 | xìnniàn | faith; belief |
| 关怀 | guānhuái | care; solicitude |
| 怀孕 | huáiyùn | pregnant; to have conceived |
| 念头 | niàntou | thought; idea; intention |
| 思念 | sīniàn | to think of; to long for |
| 念书 | niànshū | to read; to study; to attend school |
| 纪念日 | jìniànrì | day of commemoration; memorial day |
Questions about 怀念
What does 怀念 mean?
怀念 (huáiniàn) means "to cherish the memory of; to think of" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 怀念?
怀念 is made of 2 characters: 怀 (7 strokes), 念 (8 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 怀念 an HSK word?
Yes. 怀念 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 怀念 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 怀念 is written 懷念.
What is the difference between 怀念 and 纪念?
怀念 is a personal feeling of missing and remembering. 纪念 (jìniàn) means to commemorate, often through an event or object, and can also be a noun meaning souvenir or memento.
Can 怀念 be used for someone who has died?
Yes, and this is very common. Phrases like 怀念我的爷爷 (huáiniàn wǒ de yéye), remembering my late grandfather, sound respectful and natural.