Translation guide
To remember something deeply and permanently, often with emotional significance. In Japanese, this is expressed through idiomatic phrases involving the heart, mind, or body, rather than a direct translation of 'engrave'.
Expressing that a lesson, memory, or feeling is firmly and permanently remembered, often with emotional weight.
Literally 'to carve into the heart'. This is the most direct and common equivalent, used for both positive and negative memories.
I engraved my teacher's words in my heart.
Similar to 心に刻む, but uses 'chest' (胸) to emphasize the emotional, heartfelt aspect. Slightly more literary or poetic.
Literally 'to inscribe on one's liver'. A strong, often formal expression used for taking a lesson or warning to heart, especially after a mistake.
A more general way to say 'to not forget', but can be used in contexts where 'engrave in one's heart' is meant, especially when emphasizing continuous remembrance.
心に刻む is used for both positive and negative memories, while 肝に銘じる is almost exclusively used for learning from mistakes or warnings. 肝に銘じる carries a stronger sense of resolve and is more formal.
I engraved the beautiful scenery in my heart.
That scene is still engraved in my heart.
I will live with his last words engraved in my heart.
I will take this failure to heart and be careful next time.
Means 'to keep in mind' or 'to bear in mind'. Less intense than 刻む, but still implies a conscious effort to remember something important.
Keep this lesson in your heart.
I will always keep her kindness in my heart.
遅刻の反省を肝に銘じる。
I take the lesson of being late to heart.
Do not translate 'engrave' literally as 彫る (horu) in this context. 心に彫る is not idiomatic and sounds unnatural. Use 刻む (kizamu) instead.