How to say "memorial" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- noun, prenominal modifierThe loanword for the commemorative sense of 'memorial': something honoring the dead or marking an occasion, and 'commemorative' as in a memorial service or event — the common, everyday choice for this meaning.
- 追悼碑ついとうひnounA physical monument to the dead — 碑 is a stone monument — erected in memory of victims of a war, disaster, or similar tragedy. Less common; this is the word when 'memorial' means the structure itself.
- 建白けんぱくnoun, suru verb, transitive verbThe petition sense of 'memorial': a formal written statement of opinion addressed to the authorities, with no connection to commemorating the dead. Less common; 建白書 is the same idea in its explicit written-document form.
- 建白書けんぱくしょnounThe petition sense of 'memorial' as a concrete written document — 建白 plus 書, 'document'. A formal written petition submitted to the authorities; use it when 'memorial' really means a petition. Less common.
- 建議書けんぎしょnounA formal written proposal or recommendation sent to the government; it matches 'memorial' only through the petition sense. Less common, and a marginal choice for 'memorial' — it is really a recommendation document.
Use 「メモリアル」 for the commemorative sense and 追悼碑 for a physical monument to the dead; for the petition sense of 'memorial' — a formal written appeal to the authorities — use 建白 or 建白書, with 建議書 a marginal proposal alternative.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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