Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of now and heart. Heart of now.
Symbolism
Wish, careful, memorial. Represents thought.
Spiritual Meaning
Represents mental act of keeping thoughts in mind, core concept of concentration and meditation in Buddhism.
Component Breakdown
今 + heart
Words & Expressions
Words written with 念
Four-Character Compounds
一念発起
いちねんほっき
being resolved to (do something); having a wholehearted intention
無念無想
むねんむそう
free from worldly or worthless thoughts
既成概念
きせいがいねん
stereotype; preconceived idea; preconceived notion
残念無念
ざんねんむねん
deep regret; bitter disappointment; chagrin
念仏三昧
ねんぶつざんまい
being deep in prayer; praying devoutly to Amida Buddha
残念至極
ざんねんしごく
deep regret; bitter disappointment; chagrin
無想無念
むそうむねん
being free from all distracting thoughts; keeping one's mind clear of all worldly thoughts; being free from all ideas and thoughts
無念千万
むねんせんばん
being really disappointed; feeling utterly mortified; being deeply vexed
臨終正念
りんじゅうしょうねん
holding the proper state of mindfulness at the moment of death
Proverbs & Idioms
念には念を入れよ
ねんにはねんをいれよ
Be extra careful
Take every precaution possible
Anime & Manga
下ネタという概念が存在しない退屈な世界
SHIMONETA: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn’t Exist
A well-known work with 念 in its Japanese title.
暴食のベルセルク～俺だけレベルという概念を突破する～ THE COMIC
Berserk of Gluttony
A well-known work with 念 in its Japanese title.
異世界でスキルを解体したらチートな嫁が増殖しました 概念交差のストラクチャー
Isekai de Skill wo Kaitai Shitara Cheat na Yome ga Zoushoku Shimashita: Gainen Kousa no Structure
A well-known work with 念 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 念 mean in Japanese?
念 means wish, sense, idea, thought, feeling, desire, attention.
How do you read 念?
On'yomi: ネン (NEN).
How many strokes does 念 have?
念 has 8 strokes. Its radical is 心 (heart).
Is 念 a good kanji for a tattoo?
念 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means wish, sense, idea, thought, feeling, desire, attention. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.