纪念 (jì niàn) is a verb meaning 'to commemorate' or 'to honor the memory of' someone or something significant—often a person who has passed away, a historical event, or an important milestone. The first character 纪 (jì) means 'to record' or 'to mark,' suggesting preservation and documentation; the second character 念 (niàn) means 'to think of' or 'to remember,' conveying emotional remembrance. Together, they express a deliberate, respectful act of keeping memory alive through rituals, ceremonies, monuments, or observances.

This word carries solemn, respectful, and often formal connotations. It’s commonly used in contexts like national holidays (e.g., commemorating a revolution), memorial services, anniversaries of deaths, or dedications to cultural figures. While it can occasionally appear as a noun (e.g., 纪念日 'commemoration day'), its core function is verbal—describing the active process of honoring memory, not just passive recollection.