概念
gàiniàn · HSK 3
conception
💭 概 = general/approximate + 念 = thought; a 'general idea' = concept
概 carries the sense of 'roughly/in general' (as in 大概 dàgài), and 念 means 'thought/idea'. Together: a rough, general thought — a concept or notion. Also covers 'view' or 'intention' as broader mental framings.
念 — 今 (now, phonetic) + 心 (heart)
念 is a semantic-phonetic compound: 心 (heart) gives the meaning, while 今 (now) supplies the sound. The original sense was 'what is on the heart right now' — a thought held in mind. From this came the modern meanings 'to think of,' 'to miss,' and 'to recite' (holding words in mind).