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.
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.
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.
The mother gazed at her child with cherishing eyes.
Valuing and holding onto something intangible like a memory, feeling, or ideal.
Treating a possession with care and affection because it is special.
The standard way to say you cherish an object.
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.
To use something regularly with affection, like a cherished tool or item of clothing.
Holding onto an aspiration or desire dearly.
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.
Cherish friendship. (emotional)
Take good care of tools. (practical)
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.
I will live cherishing my teacher's words in my heart.
To keep something in mind or heart, to cherish a thought or advice.
I will cherish his advice.
I've cherished this book since I was a child.
I've cherished and used this fountain pen for years.
She kept fighting, cherishing hope in her heart.