Explore 念 through words for remembrance, regret and careful attention. Learn each reading with its whole word.
The idea
念 has 8 strokes; use the linked diagram for their order. Its common reading ねん appears in 記念（きねん）, 残念（ざんねん） and 念のため（ねんのため）.
Examples
- 旅行の記念に写真を撮りました。I took a photo to commemorate the trip.
- コンサートが中止になって残念です。It is a shame that the concert was cancelled.
- 念のため、傘を持っていきます。I will take an umbrella just in case.
- 住所を念入りに確認してください。Please check the address carefully.
- その計画には懸念があります。I have a concern about the plan.
- その行事は開店十周年を記念しました。The event marked the tenth anniversary of the opening.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
記念 marks a memory or occasion, while 残念 expresses disappointment. 念のため means “just in case”; it does not mean that something has already gone wrong.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 記念 in hiragana.
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きねん
記念 is きねん; it refers to commemorating an occasion, as in a travel photo.
Write the reading of 残念 in hiragana.
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ざんねん
残念 is ざんねん; it expresses regret or disappointment, as when a concert is cancelled.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿のため（ねんのため）［念／今］.
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念
念 completes 念のため, read ねんのため: take a precaution just in case.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 記念 in hiragana.
Write the reading of 残念 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿のため（ねんのため）［念／今］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write 念 using the stroke diagram, then cover the readings and make a sentence with 念のため.