纪念

• Pinyin: jì niàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 纪 = 纟(thread) + 己 (self), meaning to chronicle; 念 = 今 (now) + 心 (heart), meaning to hold in mind

Meaning

To commemorate; to memorialise; a memento. Refers to the act of honouring a person, event, or occasion, or an object kept as a reminder.

Functions as both a verb (to commemorate) and a noun (a memento or souvenir). Common in contexts such as anniversaries, memorials, and graduations. Typical compounds include 纪念品 (souvenir), 纪念日 (anniversary, memorial day), and 纪念馆 (memorial hall).

Examples

1. 我们在长城拍了很多照片留作纪念。 We took many photos at the Great Wall to keep as mementos.
2. 今天是父母结婚三十年的纪念日。 Today is my parents' thirtieth wedding anniversary.
3. 这枚硬币是为了纪念建国七十周年而发行的。 This coin was issued to commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the nation.

Usage Guide

Context: culture, history, travel, celebrations

Tone: respectful

Do Say

• 这张照片是我们友谊的纪念。(This photo is a memento of our friendship.)
• 他们举行了一场活动来纪念这位伟大的科学家。(They held an event to commemorate this great scientist.)

Don't Say

• 我纪念你。(While grammatically understandable, 纪念 implies formal or solemn memory — for everyday 'I'll miss you,' say 我会想你的 instead.)

Origin & History

Compound of 纪 (to chronicle) and 念 (to think of, to miss), together conveying the idea of cherishing the memory of something.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal