How to say "remembrance" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 記憶きおくnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers remembrance in the sense of memory or recollection—what you keep in your mind. Use it when talking about remembering events, facts, or experiences rather than marking or commemorating them.
- 記念きねんnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers the commemorative sense of remembrance: marking or celebrating an occasion. It suits anniversaries, celebrations, and other acts done in memory of an event or person.
- 見覚えみおぼえnounCovers remembrance only as recognition of having seen something or someone before. It is the sense of 'that looks familiar,' not memory in general, so it fits few uses of the English word.彼は彼女に見覚えがある。↗He knows her by sight.
- 置き土産おきみやげnounCovers remembrance only in the sense of a parting gift left behind when departing. Since its primary meaning is 'parting gift,' it is seldom the word you want for other senses of 'remembrance'.
- 形見かたみnounCovers remembrance as a memento or keepsake, especially one left by a deceased person. Use it for treasured objects kept in memory of someone, such as a heirloom.
Use 記憶 for remembering facts or experiences, 記念 for commemoration, 「見覚え」 for recognizing something seen before, 「置き土産」 for a parting gift, and 形見 for a keepsake of the deceased.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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