念
念·thought, wish, attention
- On-yomi
- ネン
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 残念 | ざんねん | regrettable, a shame |
| 記念 | きねん | commemoration, memento |
| 念のため | ねんのため | just in case, to make sure |
| 信念 | しんねん | belief, conviction |
Example sentences
試合に負けて残念です。
しあいにまけてざんねんです。
It's a shame we lost the match.
記念に写真を撮りましょう。
きねんにしゃしんをとりましょう。
Let's take a photo as a memento.
念のため、もう一度確認します。
ねんのため、もういちどかくにんします。
Just to be safe, I'll check it once more.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Writing 令 on top instead of 今
- Taking 残念 as an apology — it expresses disappointment, not 'sorry'
Memory aid
Picture it
今 (now) sitting on 心 (heart) — whatever is on your heart right now is a thought.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 記念きねんcommemoration, memorial
- 記念するきねんするto commemorate
- 残念ざんねんregrettable, unfortunate
- 理念りねんideal, principle, philosophy
- 専念するせんねんするto devote oneself to
- 断念するだんねんするto give up, to abandon (a plan)
- 観念かんねんidea, notion; resignation
- 概念がいねんconcept
- 固定観念こていかんねんfixed idea, stereotype
- 失念しつねんforgetting, lapse of memory
- 専念せんねんdevotion, concentration
- 馬の耳に念仏うまのみみにねんぶつpreaching to deaf ears
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5
What does the kanji 念 mean?