How to say "imprint" in Japanese

• 銘版めいはん
  nounA noun covering a narrow sense: the imprint on the bottom edge of a sheet of stamps, or a manufacturer's name. It is less common, and not used for imprinting something on the mind.
• 奥付おくづけ
  nounThe publishing sense: the imprint or colophon at the end of a book, giving publication information. A less common noun; this is the word for a book's imprint, not for imprinting ideas on the mind.
• 刷り込むすりこむCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbThe common verb for the mental sense: to instill a thought or impression, for example in the subconscious. When something is imprinted on the mind, this is typically the word you want.
• 焼き付けるやきつける
  ichidan verb, transitive verbA verb for imprinting on the mind with the image of burning or searing: an impression burned into one's memory. Less common than 刷り込む; choose it when you want that vivid nuance.

For printed imprints — 奥付 is a book's colophon, 銘版 the imprint on a sheet of stamps — while for imprinting on the mind use the common verb 「刷り込む」 or the less common, more vivid 「焼き付ける」.

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

• 銘版めいはんimprint (on the bottom edge of a sheet of stamps)
• 奥付おくづけcolophon (at the end of a book)
• 刷り込むすりこむto instill (a thought, impression, etc.)
• 焼き付けるやきつけるto burn into (one's memory)