A2 Idiom 중립

目に焼き付ける

1077

Imprint on one's mind

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use this to describe an unforgettable sight or experience that is permanently etched in your mind.

  • Means: To witness something so impactful it stays in your memory forever.
  • Used in: Describing beautiful scenery, emotional life events, or shocking moments.
  • Don't confuse: It is not for literal burning; it is purely metaphorical for memory.
Eyes + Fire + Memory = Unforgettable moment

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means to remember something very well. You use it when you see something beautiful or important. You want to keep the picture in your head forever.
It is an idiom used to describe an unforgettable visual experience. When you see something special, like a sunset or a graduation, you 'burn' it into your memory so you don't forget it. It is a very common way to express deep emotion.
This idiom describes the process of imprinting a visual experience onto one's memory. It implies that the sight is so significant that it leaves a permanent mark, similar to a brand. It is frequently used in contexts involving nostalgia, awe, or significant life transitions.
Functioning as a metaphor for cognitive retention, this phrase denotes the act of intentionally or involuntarily etching a visual stimulus into one's long-term memory. It captures the intensity of an experience that transcends mere observation, suggesting an emotional or psychological impact that ensures the memory remains vivid over time.
The idiom '目に焼き付ける' serves as a linguistic marker for high-intensity visual encoding. It bridges the gap between sensory input and mnemonic permanence. By utilizing the verb 'to burn' (焼き付ける), the speaker elevates a standard observation to an act of existential preservation, often employed when the subject acknowledges the transience of the moment.
This expression exemplifies the intersection of somatic metaphor and mnemonic function in Japanese. It conceptualizes the eye as a conduit for permanent psychological inscription. The usage reflects a profound engagement with the 'phenomenology of the gaze,' where the observer attempts to arrest the flow of time by internalizing the visual field. It is a sophisticated tool for articulating the depth of human experience through the lens of visual permanence.

뜻

To remember something vividly, as if burning it into one's memory.

🌍

문화적 배경

The phrase is deeply tied to the aesthetic of 'mono no aware', appreciating the beauty of fleeting moments. The metaphor of 'burning' is common in English, often used for both positive memories and traumatic ones. Similar to Japan, the eyes are seen as the primary vessel for memory, often using 'carving' instead of 'burning'. The concept of 'engraving' (grabarse) is the standard way to express this, reflecting a more permanent, stone-like quality of memory.

💡

Use 'しっかり'

Adding 'しっかり' (firmly) before the phrase makes it sound much more natural and intentional.

🎯

The 'te-form + おく' trick

Use '目に焼き付けておく' to show you are planning to remember it for the future.

뜻

To remember something vividly, as if burning it into one's memory.

💡

Use 'しっかり'

Adding 'しっかり' (firmly) before the phrase makes it sound much more natural and intentional.

🎯

The 'te-form + おく' trick

Use '目に焼き付けておく' to show you are planning to remember it for the future.

💬

Don't over-use

This is a strong phrase. Save it for moments that truly matter to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

셀프 테스트

Fill in the blank with the correct form of the idiom.

卒業式の感動をしっかり＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿。

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: 目に焼き付けた

You need the transitive form to express the action of remembering.

Which sentence is most natural?

Choose the best sentence.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: あの景色を目に焼き付けた。

The first option uses the correct transitive verb and particle.

Match the phrase with its meaning.

Match the following.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: 目に焼き付ける - To remember vividly

Only the first one is an idiom.

Complete the dialogue.

A: 素晴らしい夕日だね。 B: 本当に。＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿。

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: 目に焼き付けておこう

The 'te-form + おく' construction is perfect for future-oriented intent.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

자주 묻는 질문

12 질문

Usually, no. It is for visual experiences. For books, you might use '心に刻む' (carve into the heart).

It is neutral. It works in casual chats and formal speeches.

You can say '目に焼き付いて離れない' (it's burned into my eyes and won't leave).

Yes, the idiom specifically uses 'eye' (目).

No, that's just a photo. Use it for the real-life experience.

Yes, it is very common in dramatic anime scenes.

No, it means the memory is emotionally significant.

No, it is strictly visual.

It comes from the idea of branding, which is permanent.

Rarely, unless you are talking about a very impactful presentation.

焼き付ける is active (I do it); 焼き付く is passive (it happens to me).

Yes, if the dream was very vivid.

관련 표현

🔗

脳裏に焼き付く

similar

Burned into the back of the mind

🔗

目に浮かぶ

contrast

To come to mind/visualize

🔗

一生忘れない

similar

Will never forget for a lifetime

🔗

目に焼き付いて離れない

builds on

Burned into the eyes and won't leave

어디서 쓸까?

🌅

Watching a sunset

A: すごい夕日だね。

B: うん、しっかり目に焼き付けておこう。

neutral
🎓

Graduation ceremony

A: 卒業しちゃうんだね。

B: この景色を一生目に焼き付けておくよ。

neutral
✨

Seeing a celebrity

A: あ！あそこに〇〇がいる！

B: 本当だ！目に焼き付けなきゃ！

informal
👋

Saying goodbye

A: もう行かなくちゃ。

B: 君の顔をしっかり目に焼き付けるよ。

neutral
🎭

Watching a performance

A: 最高の舞台だったね。

B: うん、今の演技を目に焼き付けたよ。

neutral
⚠️

Traumatic event

A: あの事故、忘れられないよ。

B: 目に焼き付いて離れないよね。

neutral

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a hot iron brand (焼き) hitting your eye (目) to keep the image forever.

Visual Association

Imagine a camera shutter clicking, but instead of a photo, a glowing red brand is pressed onto your brain.

Rhyme

Burn it in, keep it thin, memory stays within.

Story

Kenji stood on the mountain. The sun was setting. He knew he would never be here again. He closed his eyes, then opened them wide. He whispered, 'I will burn this into my memory.' He looked at the colors until they were part of him.

Word Web

記憶残像一生忘れられない光景焼き付く網膜

챌린지

Look at a beautiful photo for 10 seconds, close your eyes, and try to 'burn' the details into your mind for 1 minute.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Grabarse en la memoria

The metaphor is engraving vs. burning.

French high

Graver dans la mémoire

It is slightly more formal than the Japanese idiom.

German moderate

Sich einprägen

The intensity of the metaphor is lower.

Arabic high

حفر في الذاكرة

It is a very standard, non-idiomatic way to say 'remember well'.

Chinese moderate

刻在心里

The location of the memory is the heart vs. the eyes.

Korean high

눈에 새기다

Carving vs. Burning.

Portuguese high

Ficar gravado na memória

It is more passive than the Japanese active '焼き付ける'.

English very_high

Burned into my memory

None; it is a direct equivalent.

Easily Confused

目に焼き付ける 대 目に浮かぶ

Learners confuse 'imprinting' (焼き付ける) with 'recalling' (浮かぶ).

焼き付ける is the act of saving; 浮かぶ is the act of opening the file.

目に焼き付ける 대 目に焼き付く

Learners confuse the transitive (焼き付ける) and intransitive (焼き付く) forms.

Use 焼き付ける when you do it; use 焼き付く when it happens to you.

자주 묻는 질문 (12)

Usually, no. It is for visual experiences. For books, you might use '心に刻む' (carve into the heart).

It is neutral. It works in casual chats and formal speeches.

You can say '目に焼き付いて離れない' (it's burned into my eyes and won't leave).

Yes, the idiom specifically uses 'eye' (目).

No, that's just a photo. Use it for the real-life experience.

Yes, it is very common in dramatic anime scenes.

No, it means the memory is emotionally significant.

No, it is strictly visual.

It comes from the idea of branding, which is permanent.

Rarely, unless you are talking about a very impactful presentation.

焼き付ける is active (I do it); 焼き付く is passive (it happens to me).

Yes, if the dream was very vivid.

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