Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Cherish" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "cherish", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
大切にする
たいせつにする (taisetsu ni suru)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
拳拳服膺
けんけんふくよう (kenkenfukuyou)
C2 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "cherish" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 大切にする and 拳拳服膺.
In Japanese, 大切にする (たいせつにする (taisetsu ni suru)) is typically associated with "to cherish, to value, to take good care of" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Expresses the act of treating something or someone with great care and importance, or keeping something safe..
On the other hand, 拳拳服膺 (けんけんふくよう (kenkenfukuyou)) maps to "to cherish and never forget" (Syllabus Level: C2) and represents Essential structural term in CEFR C2 vocabulary syllabus.. A literal translation of "cherish" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "大切にする"
このプレゼントを大切にします。
I will cherish this present.
Bilingual Context for "拳拳服膺"
毎日、日本語を練習するために拳拳服膺。
Every day, I cherish and never forget to practice Japanese.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "このプレゼントを大切にします。" (Meaning: "I will cherish this present.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "大切にする" fits here because it means "to cherish, to value, to take good care of" in the context of: "I will cherish this present.". "拳拳服膺" represents "to cherish and never forget".