How to say "cherish" in Japanese

• 可愛がるかわいがるJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'cherish' meaning to be fond of someone and treat them tenderly — doting on a child, junior colleague, or pet. The affection is directed at another person, not a feeling kept in one's heart.
  ケンは１人ひとり息子むすこなので、父親ちちおやは一層いっそう可愛かわいがった。↗

  Ken's father loved Ken all the more because he was his only son.
• 抱くいだくJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers 'cherish' in the sense of harbouring a feeling or ambition — cherishing hopes or ambitions, and also harbouring suspicion or doubt. The feeling is held within oneself rather than shown to someone.
  その経験けいけんで彼女かのじょは民主党みんしゅとうに対たいして好感こうかんを抱いだくようになった。↗

  The experience prejudiced her in favor of the Democratic Party.

Use 「可愛がる」 when 'cherish' means loving and caring for a person or pet tenderly, and 「抱く」 when it means holding a feeling, hope, or ambition in one's heart.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 可愛がるかわいがるto be affectionate to
• 愛でるめでるto love
• 大切にするたいせつにするto cherish
• いとおしむto love
• いとしむto love
• 愛しがるいとしがるto treat with love
• いとおしがるto dote upon
• 大事にするだいじにするto take good care of
• 抱くいだくto have (a thought or feeling)