念念不忘
- Literal
- thought after thought, not forgetting
- Figurative
- To be unable to get someone or something out of your mind, usually fondly or longingly, though also over a lingering regret.
Where does 念念不忘 come from?
It does not come from a specific anecdote. 念念 comes from Buddhist language, where it means each moment of thought, one after another; hence 念念不忘 is "not forgetting it for a single moment." The set phrase is already found in the 《朱子语类》, the conversations of the philosopher Zhu Xi (Song dynasty) recorded by his disciples. It is very common today and works for people, places, flavors or grievances, and it is usually tender or wistful, though it can also be a lingering sore point. It is often heard in 念念不忘，必有回响, a line popularized by the film 《一代宗师》: "what you never forget will find its echo."
Source (出处): 《朱子语类》
How is 念念不忘 used? Two examples
- 那家小店的牛肉面，我离开成都好几年了还念念不忘。
I left Chengdu years ago, and I still can't stop thinking about the beef noodles at that little place.
- 他对当年没考上北大这件事一直念念不忘，总说要让孩子替他圆梦。
He has never gotten over not making it into Peking University, and he keeps saying his child will live out that dream for him.
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