形見(かたみ)

かたみ
noun
keepsake, memento, remembrance
1. keepsake, memento, remembrance
An object kept as a reminder of a deceased person or someone who has departed. Carries a strong emotional connotation of loss and remembrance.
祖母(そぼ)の形見(かたみ)の指輪(ゆびわ)を大切(たいせつ)にしている。
I treasure the ring my grandmother left me as a keepsake.
この時計(とけい)は亡(な)き父(ちち)の形見(かたみ)だ。
This watch is a memento of my late father.
形見(かたみ)分(わ)けで、母(はは)の着物(きもの)を姉妹(しまい)で分(わ)けた。
In dividing up the keepsakes, my sisters and I shared our mother's kimonos.

Usage

Unlike the English "memento" or "souvenir," 形見(かたみ) specifically refers to an object left behind by someone who has died or permanently departed. It is not used for souvenirs from trips or gifts between living people. The compound 形見(かたみ)分(わ)け refers to the custom of distributing a deceased person's belongings among family and close friends as keepsakes.

Common collocations

  • 形見(かたみ)の品(しな): keepsake item
  • 形見(かたみ)分(わ)け: distributing keepsakes of the deceased
  • 〜の形見(かたみ): memento of (someone deceased)

Related Words

Compare: 記念品(きねんひん) (souvenir, memento)
Compare: よすが (means of support)
general
Added 2026.2.21 20:06 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
12500/12505_katami