銘 (míng) - To engrave, inscribe & an inscription

銘Tone 2

míng ｜ 14 strokes ｜ radical:

妙慕

銘 · míng

To engrave, inscribe;

an inscription;

a motto;

to remember permanently.

To engrave, inscribean inscriptiona motto

Usage highlights

Epitaph or tomb inscriptionMotto or maximInscriptionTo engrave on the heart; remember foreverTo inscribe gratitudeBronze inscription

Synonyms

  • 刻— to carve, engrave
  • 镌— to engrave, inscribe

Antonyms

  • 忘— to forget
  • 擦— to erase, wipe

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The craftsman engraved the name on the plaque (在牌匾上刻铭).
  • He took the teacher's words as his personal motto (座右铭).
  • The ancient bronze vessel bears a long inscription (铭文).
  • This experience is engraved on my heart (铭记在心).

Collocations

  • Epitaph or tomb inscription(墓志铭)
  • Motto or maxim(座右铭)
  • Inscription (on metal/stone)(铭文)
  • To engrave on the heart; remember forever(铭记)
  • To inscribe gratitude(铭感)
  • Bronze inscription(金铭)

Idioms

  • Engraved on one's heart and bones(刻骨铭心)
  • Inscribe virtue and record achievements(铭功记德)
  • A motto for one's desk(座右铭)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originates from the practice of inscribing texts on bronze vessels and stone steles in ancient China to record events, virtues, or achievements.
  • Associated with permanence, memory, and the transmission of values, often used in contexts of commemoration and moral instruction.
  • Commonly used in personal mottos (座右铭) to express one's guiding principles.

FAQ