念(ねん)

ねん
noun
thought, feeling; caution, care
emotionabstract
1. thought, feeling, sense
A deep feeling or sense of something, often used in compounds to express the strength or nature of an emotion or mental state.
感謝(かんしゃ)の念(ねん)を抱(いだ)く。
To feel a sense of gratitude.
畏敬(いけい)の念(ねん)を込(こ)めて手(て)を合(あ)わせた。
I put my hands together with a feeling of reverence.
被害者(ひがいしゃ)への哀悼(あいとう)の念(ねん)を表(あらわ)した。
He expressed condolences for the victims.
2. caution, care, precaution
Careful attention paid to avoid mistakes or problems. Used in expressions about being thorough or cautious.
念(ねん)のため確認(かくにん)しておく。
I'll check just to be safe.
念(ねん)のため is a very common expression meaning 'just in case' or 'as a precaution.'
念(ねん)を入(い)れて準備(じゅんび)した。
I prepared carefully and thoroughly.
念(ねん)には念(ねん)を入(い)れて、もう一度(いちど)確認(かくにん)してください。
To be doubly sure, please check one more time.
Idiomatic expression meaning to be extra cautious.

念(ねん) has two main uses: as a formal word for deep feeling or mental state (sense 1), and as a word meaning caution or thoroughness (sense 2).

SENSE 1 — FEELING (formal):

In this sense 念(ねん) is formal and literary: 感謝(かんしゃ)の念(ねん) and 畏敬(いけい)の念(ねん) belong to speeches, letters and writing. In conversation, people say 感謝(かんしゃ)の気持(きも)ち instead.

SENSE 2 — CAUTION:

These are everyday expressions, and 念(ねん)のため in particular is heard constantly.

Watch out

  • 年(ねん) (year) is a completely different word with the same reading.

Related Words

Homophone: 年(ねん) (year)
general
Added 2026.2.22 19:06 · Revised 2026.10.6 4:12
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