Definition
转念 is a verb-object compound (离合词) meaning 'to change one's mind' or 'to reconsider a decision'. The core image is 'turning a thought' — shifting from one opinion to another. You often see it in the fixed expression 转念一想 ('after a second thought'). Since the 念 is a noun, measure words or duration can come between the syllables: 转了一个念 ('had a second thought'). It is a higher-level vocabulary item typical of narrative Chinese.
v.o.
to have second thoughtsto reconsider (an idea or decision)
Examples
- 转念，。Tā zhuǎn niàn yì xiǎng, juéde háishì qù ba.After reconsidering, he felt he might as well go.
- ，。Wǒ běnlái xiǎng cízhí, dàn zhuǎn le yí ge niàn yòu yóuyù le.I originally wanted to quit, but I had a second thought and hesitated.
- 转念，。zhuǎn niàn zhī jiān, tā gǎibiàn le zhǔyì.In a moment of reconsideration, he changed his mind.
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