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形見 (かたみ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Meanings 1
noun
memento of a deceased person ; keepsake ; heirloom
Primarily refers to an object left behind by someone who has died, kept in memory of them. Can also be used more broadly for a cherished keepsake, but the association with a deceased person is strong.
彼かれ
は
亡な
き
父ちち
の
形かた
見み
と
し
て
、
その
万まん
年ねん
筆ひつ
を
使つか
い
続つづ
け
た
。
He continued to use the fountain pen as a memento of his late father.
Similar words 記き 念ねん 品ひん 記念品 is a general souvenir or commemorative item, not necessarily associated with a deceased person. 形見 specifically implies a keepsake from someone who has passed away.
遺い 品ひん 遺品 refers to belongings left by a deceased person in general, without the emotional nuance of a cherished memento. 形見 is a subset of 遺品 that is kept for sentimental reasons.
Etymology From 形 (かた, 'shape, form') + 見 (み, 'seeing, looking'), originally meaning something that reminds one of a person's appearance or presence. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has long been used for keepsakes of the deceased.
