§ What does it mean?
The word "memorial" refers to something created or established to help people remember a significant person, group of people, or an important event. It's a way to keep the memory alive and ensure that these figures or occurrences are not forgotten over time. Think of it as a lasting tribute, a tangible reminder of something that holds importance in history or in people's hearts.
- DEFINITION
- A physical object, structure, or event established to honor and preserve the memory of a person, group, or historical event. It serves as a lasting tribute to ensure that significant figures or occurrences are not forgotten.
Memorials can take many forms, from grand architectural structures to simple plaques, from solemn ceremonies to charitable foundations. Their primary purpose is to evoke remembrance, prompt reflection, and sometimes even inspire future generations.
§ When do people use it?
People use the word "memorial" in various contexts, primarily when discussing the remembrance of those who have passed away, significant historical events, or cultural milestones. Here are some common situations:
- Commemorating individuals: When a beloved person, a hero, or a historical figure dies, a memorial might be created in their honor. This could be a statue, a park named after them, or even a scholarship fund.
- Honoring groups: Groups of people, such as soldiers who died in a war, victims of a tragedy, or a specific community, are often remembered through memorials. These can be large monuments, walls with names inscribed, or dedicated gardens.
- Marking historical events: Important historical events, like battles, natural disasters, or significant social movements, are frequently commemorated with memorials. These help future generations understand and learn from the past.
- Remembering personal milestones: On a more personal level, families might create a small memorial, such as a special garden or a dedicated bench, to remember a loved one.
The term is also used when referring to a service or ceremony held to remember someone who has died, especially if the funeral has already taken place or if the body is not present. This is often called a "memorial service."
Understanding the various uses of "memorial" helps in grasping its significance in culture and language. It's a word that carries a lot of emotional weight and reflects humanity's desire to remember and honor.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. is a powerful tribute to those who served.
The town held a memorial service for the victims of the flood.
In essence, a memorial serves as a bridge between the past and the present, reminding us of what came before and influencing how we perceive the future.
豆知識
The word 'memorial' shares its root with 'memory' and 'remember', highlighting its core purpose of aiding recollection.
レベル別の例文
We saw a big memorial in the park.
A place to remember someone important.
Simple sentence structure, common vocabulary.
The memorial is for soldiers.
It helps us remember the soldiers.
Basic subject-verb-object, 'is for' indicates purpose.
My family visited the memorial.
We went to see the remembering place.
Possessive adjective 'my', past tense verb 'visited'.
There is a flower memorial for the queen.
A memorial made of flowers for the queen.
'There is' for existence, 'flower' as an adjective.
The city built a new memorial.
The city made a new place to remember.
Past tense verb 'built', basic subject-verb-object.
Children learn about the memorial in school.
Kids learn about the remembering place.
Present tense verb 'learn', 'about' for topic.
Is that a memorial for animals?
Is it a place to remember animals?
Question form, 'for' indicates recipient.
Many people go to the memorial every year.
Lots of people visit the remembering place often.
Frequency adverb 'every year', 'many people' as subject.
The architect's design for the new memorial incorporated elements that reflected the stoicism and sacrifice of the fallen soldiers.
The memorial's design evoked soldierly stoicism and sacrifice.
Incorporated elements that reflected is a more formal and descriptive way to say 'included things that showed'.
After years of fundraising and planning, the community finally unveiled a poignant memorial to the victims of the natural disaster, fostering a collective space for remembrance and healing.
Community unveiled memorial for disaster victims, offering remembrance and healing.
Poignant implies a strong sense of sadness or regret, often in a moving way. Fostering a collective space means creating a shared area.
The controversy surrounding the placement of the new memorial sparked extensive public debate, highlighting differing perspectives on historical interpretation and commemoration.
Memorial placement controversy caused public debate on historical interpretation.
Sparked extensive public debate means it initiated a wide-ranging discussion. Highlighting differing perspectives emphasizes the varied viewpoints.
To ensure the longevity of the memorial and its educational purpose, a dedicated trust was established to oversee its maintenance and programmatic activities.
Trust formed for memorial's longevity, maintenance, and educational programs.
To ensure the longevity means to make sure it lasts a long time. Programmatic activities refers to organized events or initiatives.
The annual ceremony at the national memorial serves as a solemn reminder of the nation's past struggles and its enduring commitment to peace.
Annual ceremony at national memorial recalls past struggles, reinforces peace commitment.
Solemn reminder suggests a serious and respectful recollection. Enduring commitment means a lasting dedication.
Critics argued that the proposed memorial, while aesthetically striking, failed to adequately convey the complexities of the historical event it purported to commemorate.
Critics felt the striking memorial didn't convey the historical event's complexities.
Aesthetically striking means visually impressive. Purported to commemorate suggests it claimed to honor the event, but perhaps fell short.
The sculptor's innovative approach to the memorial resulted in a highly abstract piece that invited individual interpretation rather than imposing a singular narrative.
Sculptor's abstract memorial invited individual interpretation, not a single narrative.
Innovative approach means a new and original way. Imposing a singular narrative means forcing one particular story or meaning.
Generations have visited the hallowed memorial, finding solace and inspiration in its quiet contemplation of human resilience in the face of adversity.
Generations visit the hallowed memorial for solace and inspiration, reflecting on resilience.
Hallowed implies something sacred or greatly respected. Quiet contemplation means thoughtful and peaceful reflection. Resilience in the face of adversity refers to the ability to recover from difficult situations.
慣用句と表現
"in memory of"
To honor the life or legacy of someone who has passed away.
A concert was held in memory of the beloved musician.
neutral"a trip down memory lane"
An occasion when people remember pleasant things that happened in the past.
Looking through old photo albums is always a nice trip down memory lane.
informal"commit to memory"
To learn something so that you can remember it exactly.
She committed the entire poem to memory for the competition.
neutral"jog someone's memory"
To help someone remember something.
Seeing that old photograph jogged my memory of our childhood vacation.
neutral"have a memory like an elephant"
To have an excellent memory; to remember things easily and for a long time.
Don't try to lie to him, he has a memory like an elephant.
informal"fade from memory"
To gradually be forgotten.
Over time, the details of the accident began to fade from memory.
neutral"for old times' sake"
Because of past shared experiences or friendship.
Let's meet up for coffee, just for old times' sake.
informal"bear in mind"
To remember a fact or piece of information that is important for a situation or decision.
Bear in mind that the store closes early on Sundays.
neutral"a distant memory"
Something that happened a long time ago and is not clearly remembered.
Our struggles from last year are now a distant memory.
neutral"recollection of"
The act or power of recalling to mind; remembrance.
His recollection of the event was vague.
formal使い方
A memorial is typically something permanent, like a statue, plaque, or building. It can also refer to a ceremony or event, such as a memorial service. It's often associated with remembrance of those who have died or significant past events. Here are some examples of its usage:
- The city erected a new memorial to the veterans of the war.
- We attended a beautiful memorial service for her grandfather.
- The 9/11 memorial in New York City is a powerful reminder of the tragedy.
One common mistake is confusing 'memorial' with 'monument.' While a memorial can be a type of monument, 'monument' has a broader meaning, referring to any structure or site of historical importance. All memorials are monuments, but not all monuments are memorials. Another mistake is using 'memorial' as a verb. It is a noun. For example, instead of saying 'We will memorial the soldiers,' you should say 'We will memorialize the soldiers' or 'We will hold a memorial for the soldiers.' Incorrect:
- The new park will memorial the city's founder.
- The new park will serve as a memorial to the city's founder.
- The new park will memorialize the city's founder.
語源
Latin
元の意味： serving as a reminder
Indo-European文化的な背景
Culturally, memorials are incredibly diverse, ranging from grand monuments like the Lincoln Memorial to simple plaques or annual ceremonies. They play a vital role in collective memory, providing a physical space for remembrance, reflection, and honoring shared history or significant losses. Memorials often evoke strong emotions and can be focal points for communal gathering and expressions of gratitude or grief.
自分をテスト 12 問
Imagine your town or city wants to build a new memorial. What would it commemorate? Describe the memorial's appearance and explain why it's important to remember this person, group, or event.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Our town should build a memorial to commemorate the local heroes who worked tirelessly during the recent pandemic. It could be a statue of a nurse and a delivery driver, showing their dedication. It's important to remember their sacrifices and honor their hard work because they kept our community safe and running during a difficult time. This memorial would be a lasting tribute to their courage.
Think about a famous memorial you know (e.g., the Statue of Liberty, the Eiffel Tower, a war memorial). Describe its appearance and what it represents. Why do you think people visit it?
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Sample answer
The Statue of Liberty is a famous memorial in New York. It's a huge statue of a woman holding a torch and a tablet. It represents freedom and democracy, and it was a gift from France. People visit it to remember the history of immigration to the USA and to see a powerful symbol of hope and liberty.
Write a short paragraph about the importance of memorials in society. Why do we build them? What purpose do they serve?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Memorials are important in society because they help us remember significant events and people from the past. They serve the purpose of honoring sacrifices, celebrating achievements, and ensuring that future generations learn from history. By building memorials, we keep stories alive and reflect on our shared human experience.
What is the main purpose of the Lincoln Memorial?
Read this passage:
The Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. is a large, iconic monument dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Inside, a giant statue of Lincoln sits, gazing out. It was built to honor his leadership during the American Civil War and his efforts to abolish slavery. Visitors often reflect on the important moments in American history that happened during his presidency.
What is the main purpose of the Lincoln Memorial?
The passage clearly states, 'It was built to honor his leadership during the American Civil War and his efforts to abolish slavery.'
The passage clearly states, 'It was built to honor his leadership during the American Civil War and his efforts to abolish slavery.'
What kind of people do small town memorials often commemorate?
Read this passage:
Many small towns have memorials in their central squares. These often commemorate local soldiers who died in wars, or important figures who contributed to the community's development. These memorials are not always grand, but they are deeply meaningful to the residents, reminding them of their shared history and the people who shaped their town.
What kind of people do small town memorials often commemorate?
The passage mentions 'local soldiers who died in wars, or important figures who contributed to the community's development' as common subjects for small town memorials.
The passage mentions 'local soldiers who died in wars, or important figures who contributed to the community's development' as common subjects for small town memorials.
What makes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial unique?
Read this passage:
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. is unique because it's a long, black granite wall inscribed with the names of over 58,000 Americans who died or are missing from the Vietnam War. Its design encourages personal reflection and remembrance, making it a powerful and emotional place for visitors. It serves as a quiet but strong tribute.
What makes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial unique?
The passage describes it as 'a long, black granite wall inscribed with the names of over 58,000 Americans.'
The passage describes it as 'a long, black granite wall inscribed with the names of over 58,000 Americans.'
The newly unveiled memorial serves as a poignant ___ to the soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict.
A memorial is fundamentally a tribute, a form of commemoration, and a means of remembrance, making all options applicable in this context.
Which of the following would NOT typically be considered a memorial?
A memorial is specifically designed to honor and preserve memory, whereas a commercial billboard serves an advertising purpose.
The ancient ruins stood as a silent ___ to a civilization long past, their weathered stones whispering tales of bygone eras.
In this context, 'testament' best conveys the idea of the ruins serving as a lasting proof or evidence of a past civilization, aligning with the function of a memorial.
A memorial is always a physical structure.
While many memorials are physical structures, the definition also includes events established to honor and preserve memory, such as an annual commemoration.
The primary purpose of a memorial is to ensure that significant figures or occurrences are not forgotten.
The definition explicitly states that a memorial serves as a lasting tribute to ensure that significant figures or occurrences are not forgotten.
A memorial is primarily concerned with celebrating future achievements.
A memorial's focus is on honoring and preserving the memory of past persons, groups, or historical events, not on future achievements.
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