忘记 (wàngjì) means “to forget” in Chinese. Let’s delve into the original structure and meaning of each character:

忘 (wàng)

• Original Structure: This character was originally composed of three parts: “亡” (wáng – to lose), “心” (xīn – heart), and “乚” (yǐn – hidden). “亡” represented something being lost or perished, “心” represented the heart or mind, and “乚” symbolized something hidden or concealed. Together, they conveyed the idea of something being lost from the heart or mind, thus forgotten.
• Meaning: forget, lose, neglect

记 (jì)

• Original Structure: This character was composed of “己” (jǐ – self) and “言” (yán – words or speech). “己” represented the self, and “言” symbolized words or speech. The combination suggests the idea of recording or remembering words related to oneself, hence to remember.
• Meaning: remember, record, note

Combined Meaning

When combined as 忘记 (wàngjì), the meaning becomes “to forget.” It implies the inability to recall or remember something.

Evolution of Characters

Over time, the structures of both characters have evolved. While their original forms might not be readily apparent in their modern forms, understanding their origins can provide a deeper understanding of their meanings and how they contribute to the combined meaning of 忘记.