Chinese word

念念不忘

Pronunciation

Pinyinniàn niàn bù wàng

Meaning

  • idiomnever forget

Example

他对朋友的帮助念念不忘。tā duì péng yǒu de bāng zhù niàn niàn bú wàng

He never forgets the help his friend gave him.

Illustration for 念念不忘 (never forget)

More examples

那位老艺术家的作品令人念念不忘。nà wèi lǎo yì shù jiā de zuò pǐn lìng rén niàn niàn bú wàng

That old artist's works are unforgettable.

Core concept

A thought stays anchored in the heart instead of fading as time passes.

Common phrases

  • 念念不忘于心niàn niàn bú wàng yú xīn

    keep in one's heart and never forget

  • 念念不忘的恩情niàn niàn bú wàng de ēn qíng

    kindness one never forgets

  • 总是念念不忘zǒng shì niàn niàn bú wàng

    always remember

Similar words

难以忘怀nán yǐ wàng huái: Remain hard to forget because someone or something leaves a lasting impression.
刻骨铭心kè gǔ míng xīn: Be deeply engraved in the heart and remembered with powerful, lasting feeling.
铭记在心míng jì zài xīn: Keep someone or something firmly in mind as a lasting memory.
记忆犹新jì yì yóu xīn: Have a memory that remains clear and vivid, as if it happened recently.

Definition in Chinese

把某人或某事深深放在心里，长时间记住，常带有感情上的分量。bǎ mǒu rén huò mǒu shì shēn shēn fàng zài xīn lǐ cháng shí jiān jì zhù cháng dài yǒu gǎn qíng shàng de fèn liàng

Word origin

In 念念不忘 (niànniànbùwàng, "never forget"), repeated 念 (niàn, "thought") emphasizes continued mental return, while 不忘 (bùwàng, "not forget") keeps the thought from being lost.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this idiom often signals emotional weight, so it suits lasting gratitude or affection better than a routine reminder or a minor fact.

Other meanings

  • stay in one's heartidiom

Opposites

  • 过目即忘guò mù jí wàngforget as soon as one sees itidiom
  • 一笑了之yí xiào liǎo zhīdismiss with a laughidiom

Word lists with this word