thought

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 念 has 8 strokes and the on-reading ねん. 残念 (ざんねん) and 念願 (ねんがん) concern disappointment and a cherished wish, respectively.
• Basic usage: 残念 describes disappointment when something does not turn out as hoped; 念願 means a long-held wish.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Disappointment and a long-held wish
  • 本当に残念です expresses real disappointment about the canceled picnic. 残念ながら means unfortunately before the news that the desired book is sold out.
  • 長年の念願だった自分の店 means the shop someone had long dreamed of owning. 念願がかなった means that a cherished wish came true.