念

niàn
HSK 5
#477 most
frequent character
to read, to study (a degree course)
verb
Measure words:顿 dùn

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

念 has 心 'heart; mind' as a picture part and 今 jīn giving the sound. It first meant 'to think of' or 'to long for.' The meaning grew to 'remember' and 'read aloud', then 'to study.' The sense 'twenty' was borrowed only for its sound.

念 as a component in other characters

sound5 characters
捻鲶稔埝唸
picture1 character
谂

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Example Sentences

我每天都会念书。
wǒ měitiān dōuhuì niànshū 。
I read books every day.
他念了很多诗。
tāniàn le hěnduō shī 。
He has read many poems.
我想念我的家人。
wǒ xiǎngniàn wǒde jiārén 。
I miss my family.

Words with similar meanings

读dú
to read
A more general term for reading, often used in more formal contexts.
思念sīniàn
to miss
Specifically focuses on the emotional aspect of missing someone or something.

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Public Lists with 念

Art & Literature
Painting, calligraphy, novels, poetry, reading, writing, and authors.
Advanced HSK5 Terms
Vocabulary commonly seen in HSK5 practice, bridging mid-high level usage.
HSK 5
All words for the HSK 5 test
School & Education
Classroom items, teaching methods, homework, quizzes, and schedules.