感銘を受ける

This phrase usually follows a noun.

You say [Noun] に感銘を受ける.

In polite speech, use 感銘を受けました.

It sounds very sophisticated and thoughtful.

You can use it for people or things.

It works for speeches, books, or life stories.

Don't worry about sounding too stiff.

It actually makes you sound very sincere.

Use it when you want to show real depth.

Maybe you just finished a life-changing biography.

Or perhaps a colleague gave a powerful presentation.

It is perfect for thank-you notes.

Use it when meeting someone you admire.

'I was deeply moved by your work.'

It works well in professional emails too.

It adds a touch of class to your gratitude.

Don't use it for trivial things.

A tasty taco is not 感銘を受ける.

A cute puppy doesn't fit this phrase either.

Using it for small things sounds weird.

It might even sound like you are being sarcastic.

Save it for the big, meaningful moments.

If you say it about a sale, people will laugh.

Keep it special, like a fine wine.

The kanji 銘 refers to inscriptions on stone.

In old Japan, important things were carved to last.

This phrase reflects that desire for permanence.

Japanese culture values being moved by others' efforts.

Expressing this shows you are observant and humble.

It acknowledges the 'spirit' behind the work.

It is a very 'adult' way to express emotion.

It bridges the gap between logic and feeling.

You might hear 感銘を与える sometimes.

That means 'to give a deep impression.'

A movie might 感銘を与える to the audience.

Another common one is 深く感銘を受ける.

Adding 深く (deeply) makes it even stronger.

In very casual settings, people use 感動した.

But 感銘を受けた is the gold standard for depth.

Use it to stand out in a good way.