wish, sense, idea, thought, feeling, desire, attention
念 centers on the mind holding something: a thought, feeling, wish, or desire that stays present. Attention is the act of keeping something in mind.
念 combines 今 (now) and 心 (heart/mind), suggesting something present in the mind right now: a thought, feeling, or attention.
The top 今 means 'now', and the bottom 心 is the heart/mind. Picture your mind holding a thought right now: that is 念 — a wish, idea, or feeling you keep in mind.
For ネン, imagine a neon sign flashing your most important wish: neon -> ネン, and the bright thought stays in your mind.
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commemoration; celebration; remembrance; memory; honoring the memory of
regrettable; unfortunate; disappointing; vexing
general idea; concept; notion
sense; idea; thought; feeling
worry; fear; anxiety; concern
(Platonic) ideal (of how things ought to be, e.g. human rights); foundational principle; idea; conception (e.g. of the university); doctrine; ideology
belief; faith; conviction
abandoning (hope, plans); giving up
idea; notion; concept; conception
absorption; giving undivided attention; devoting oneself (to)
one's heart's desire; one's dearest wish
doubt; suspicion; misgivings; scruples
(on one's) mind; heed
regret; chagrin; mortification
tenacity; persistence; obsession; implacability
nembutsu; nianfo; the three-word invocation "Namu Amida Butsu" dedicated to the Amitabha Buddha
careful; scrupulous; thorough; conscientious; elaborate; deliberate; attentive
careful; elaborate; scrupulous
prayer
natural monument
common idea; common wisdom; generally accepted idea
another idea
critical moment; do-or-die situation; critical juncture
willpower; faith
painstaking; careful; meticulous; scrupulous; detailed; elaborate
written pledge; signed note of assurance; memorandum; legal instrument
just to make sure; just to be sure; for confirmation
new concept
memorial day; commemoration day; anniversary
commemorative plaque (usu. on a stone); stone monument (bearing an inscription)