想念某人
xiǎngniàn mǒurén
To say I miss someone in Chinese, meaning you feel sad because you are not with someone you care about, use 想念某人 (xiǎngniàn mǒurén), to miss someone.
In a real sentence 某人, someone, is replaced by the person, as in 我想念他, I miss him. 我很想念你 means I miss you a lot. 想念 is used for missing people or places rather than a missed chance or a thing.
What does it mean word for word?
想念 is made of 想, to think or want and 念, to miss or recall. 某人 means someone.
Which one should you use?
In casual speech the single character 想 is more common than 想念. 我想你了 is a casual way to say I miss you, and 我好想你啊 means I miss you so much.
How does it change in a sentence?
The pattern is subject, then 想念, then the person, as in 我想念他.
How do you pronounce it?
想念某人 is pronounced xiǎngniàn mǒurén.
When do people say it?
Between romantic partners you may hear 好想你，想你想得要命, I miss you so much, I miss you to death.
Did you know?
- The character 念 in 想念 is also used for the act of reading aloud or reciting. This links the feeling of missing someone to the mental act of repeating their name over and over in your mind.
- In romantic relationships, 想你 (xiǎng nǐ) often serves as a gentle substitute for 'I love you'. It allows partners to express deep affection without using the formal and heavy word for love, 爱 (ài).
- To express longing for someone who has passed away, speakers switch from 想念 to 思念 (sīniàn). This specific term carries a more solemn, enduring and profound weight.
Examples in context
- 这段时间很忙，我好想你啊。I have been busy lately, I miss you so much.
- 是的，但是我一直想念着你。Yes, but I have been missing you all the time.
- 你是不是在想念某人？Nǐ shì bù shì zài xiǎngniàn mǒurén?Are you missing someone?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hometowns.
- 佳怡 Jiayi俊杰，你在这里生活习惯吗？Jùnjié, nǐ zài zhèlǐ shēnghuó xíguàn ma?Junjie, are you used to living here?
- 俊杰 Junjie习惯了，但我很想念某人。Xíguàn le, dàn wǒ hěn xiǎngniàn mǒu rén.I am, but I really miss someone.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你想念谁了？Nǐ xiǎngniàn shéi le?Who do you miss?
- 俊杰 Junjie我想念我的奶奶。Wǒ xiǎngniàn wǒ de nǎinai.I miss my grandmother.
