铭 míng to engrave
to engrave; to inscribe
How to remember 铭: 钅 gold + 名 name = to engrave. For their anniversary he buys a gold bracelet and asks the jeweller whether her name is too long to engrave.
Component breakdown
铭 = 钅 gold + 名 name
- 钅 gold
- 名 name
- 夕 evening
- 口 mouth
For their anniversary he buys a gold bracelet and asks the jeweller whether her name is too long to engrave.
How it is used
- To engrave, especially engrave in memory: 铭记 (míngjì) to remember forever, 铭刻 (míngkè) to inscribe - 永远铭记 (yǒngyuǎn míngjì) to never forget.
- 座右铭 (zuòyòumíng) is your personal motto, the words you 'engrave beside your seat' to live by.
- Emotional, formal register - used for vows, gratitude, and things one is determined never to forget.