Translation guide
To hold something dear, to treasure it emotionally, or to care for it deeply. Japanese expresses this through verbs of affection, valuing, and nurturing, often depending on whether the object is a person, memory, or thing.
Expressing deep affection and care for someone, such as a family member, friend, or partner.
The most common and versatile way to say 'cherish' for people, relationships, and things. It means to treat as important and care for.
家族を大切にしています。
I cherish my family.
Cherish your friends.
A more emotional and literary word for cherishing someone with deep affection, often used for children, lovers, or precious moments.
彼女は子供を愛おしむように抱きしめた。
She hugged her child as if cherishing them.
A tender, somewhat formal word implying nurturing love and compassion, often used in literary or religious contexts.
母は子を慈しむ目で見つめた。
The mother gazed at her child with cherishing eyes.
Valuing and holding onto something intangible like a memory, feeling, or ideal.
Again, the go-to phrase. Works for memories, time, values, etc.
この思い出をずっと大切にします。
I will cherish this memory forever.
自由を大切にしよう。
Let's cherish our freedom.
Literally 'engrave in one's chest/heart', meaning to cherish a memory or lesson deeply and never forget it.
先生の言葉を胸に刻んで生きていきます。
I will live cherishing my teacher's words in my heart.
Treating a possession with care and affection because it is special.
The standard way to say you cherish an object.
祖母からもらった指輪を大切にしています。
I cherish the ring my grandmother gave me.
Very similar to 大切にする, but slightly more casual and often used for objects or practical care.
この本は子供の頃から大事にしている。
I've cherished this book since I was a child.
To use something regularly with affection, like a cherished tool or item of clothing.
この万年筆を長年愛用しています。
I've cherished and used this fountain pen for years.
Holding onto an aspiration or desire dearly.
To hold or cherish a dream. 抱く implies embracing something within.
彼は大きな夢を抱いて上京した。
He moved to Tokyo cherishing a big dream.
To secretly cherish a hope in one's heart.
彼女は希望を胸に秘めて戦い続けた。
She kept fighting, cherishing hope in her heart.
Both mean 'to cherish' or 'to take good care of'. 大切にする is slightly more emotional and can be used for abstract things like memories or relationships. 大事にする is more about practical care and is often used for objects. In many cases they are interchangeable, but 大切にする is safer for expressing deep emotional attachment.
There is no single Japanese verb that covers all uses of 'cherish'. Avoid trying to directly translate it in every context. Instead, use the appropriate phrase based on what is being cherished.
To keep something in mind or heart, to cherish a thought or advice.
彼の助言を心に留めておきます。
I will cherish his advice.