diff --git a/SKILL.md b/SKILL.md
index 49b4045..b15a6e9 100644
--- a/SKILL.md
+++ b/SKILL.md
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ session evidence before deciding whether a detail pass is needed:
 ```js
 const map = overview({ limit: 6 });
 const project = map.current.project?.project;
-const topic = 'topic terms from the user request';
+const topic = 'English topic terms translated from the user request';
 
 return {
   orientation: map.current_project,
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ tiny sample before relying on less common filters.
 - `trace(uuid)` -- parent chain from root to message.
 - `thread(sessionId)` -- full session messages; last resort only.
 - `raw(uuid, opts?)` -- windowed access to the original JSONL line.
-- `memories(opts?)` -- recall memory layer, newest first. opts: `{ query, project, sessionId, sessions, after, before, branch, limit }`. `query` filters summary/path by terms. Returns registered memory records (id, path, summary, project, session_id, created_at). Read the file at `path` for full content.
+- `memories(opts?)` -- recall memory layer, newest first. opts: `{ query, project, sessionId, sessions, after, before, branch, limit }`. `query` filters summary/path by English terms. Returns registered memory records (id, path, summary, project, session_id, created_at). Read the file at `path` for full content.
 
 ## Retrieval Contract
 
@@ -189,10 +189,16 @@ previously recorded, and compare it with raw session evidence when correctness
 depends on it. Raw session data is the evidence layer, but one hit is not a
 complete truth; query and cite it compactly.
 
-**Recall:** query `memories({ query: 'topic terms', project: '...' })` to find
-prior conclusions relevant to the current task. Like other list helpers,
-passing a string is treated as `sessionId`, and passing a number is treated as
-`limit`. Read the file at `path` for full content.
+The memory layer is English-indexed. Use English terms in `memories({ query })`
+even when the user asks in another language. Write every `remember().summary`
+in English, regardless of the current conversation language. The runtime rejects
+obvious CJK text in memory queries and summaries as a guardrail.
+
+**Recall:** query `memories({ query: 'English topic terms', project: '...' })`
+to find prior conclusions relevant to the current task. Translate non-English
+user requests into concise English query terms before calling `memories()`. Like
+other list helpers, passing a string is treated as `sessionId`, and passing a
+number is treated as `limit`. Read the file at `path` for full content.
 
 Good memory candidates include design decisions, project conventions, abandoned
 alternatives, repeated failure causes, workflow patterns, and conclusions
@@ -231,9 +237,9 @@ paths are resolved against the source session's `project_path` when
 `session_id` is provided, then stored as normalized absolute paths. Prefer
 project-relative paths such as `.obelisk/memories/...` plus `session_id`.
 
-`summary` should be detailed enough that `memories()` results alone can judge
-relevance without reading the file. Include the decision, the reasoning, and
-the key constraints — not just a title.
+`summary` must be English and detailed enough that `memories()` results alone
+can judge relevance without reading the file. Include the decision, the
+reasoning, and the key constraints — not just a title.
 
 The `message_start`/`message_end` range marks where in the conversation this
 conclusion was drawn. Use it later to trace back to the original evidence.
diff --git a/references/query-patterns.md b/references/query-patterns.md
index e48a2b5..3a25cd4 100644
--- a/references/query-patterns.md
+++ b/references/query-patterns.md
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ faceted detail pass if the first pass reveals useful projects, sessions, files,
 or terms.
 
 ```js
-const topic = 'topic terms from the user request';
+const topic = 'English topic terms translated from the user request';
 const map = overview({ limit: 6 });
 const project = map.current.project?.project;
 const scoped = project ? { project } : {};
@@ -124,6 +124,7 @@ return hits.slice(0, 5).map(h => {
 Use this when prior conclusions may exist but the answer still depends on raw
 session evidence. Keep memory as prior notes, not final authority; compare it
 with session evidence in your final answer when correctness matters.
+Memory query terms are English even when the user asks in another language.
 
 ```js
 const project = '%quiet-zero%';
diff --git a/references/retrieval-semantics.md b/references/retrieval-semantics.md
index ae7baf6..74d5c6c 100644
--- a/references/retrieval-semantics.md
+++ b/references/retrieval-semantics.md
@@ -106,6 +106,11 @@ For semantic questions, build a task-local evidence view:
 }
 ```
 
+Memory recall is English-indexed: translate non-English user requests into
+concise English query terms before calling `memories({ query })`. Memory
+summaries registered with `remember()` are also English, regardless of the
+conversation language.
+
 Then synthesize the conclusion in the final answer. Do not pretend the raw
 evidence view is itself a stored Obelisk entity.
 
diff --git a/references/schema.md b/references/schema.md
index 517fb04..835005b 100644
--- a/references/schema.md
+++ b/references/schema.md
@@ -527,7 +527,7 @@ is treated as `sessionId`, and passing a number is treated as `limit`.
 
 | Param | Type | Description |
 |-------|------|-------------|
-| `opts.query` | `string` | Term filter over `summary` and `path`; hyphens/underscores are treated as spaces |
+| `opts.query` | `string` | English term filter over `summary` and `path`; hyphens/underscores are treated as spaces |
 | `opts.project` | `string` | SQL `LIKE` pattern over `memories.project` |
 | `opts.sessionId` | `string` | Restrict to one source session |
 | `opts.sessions` | `string[]` | Restrict to a set of source session IDs |
@@ -538,9 +538,11 @@ is treated as `sessionId`, and passing a number is treated as `limit`.
 
 **Returns:** `Array<memory_row>` ordered by `created_at` descending.
 
-`query` is a lightweight term filter, not FTS5 ranking. Use it to avoid pulling
-all recent memories, then read the markdown file at `path` when a memory looks
-relevant.
+`query` is a lightweight English term filter, not FTS5 ranking. Translate
+non-English user requests into concise English query terms before calling
+`memories()`. Use it to avoid pulling all recent memories, then read the
+markdown file at `path` when a memory looks relevant. The runtime rejects
+obvious CJK text in memory queries.
 
 ```js
 const prior = memories({
@@ -569,14 +571,15 @@ normal `--query` script.
 | Param | Type | Description |
 |-------|------|-------------|
 | `record.path` | `string` | Existing markdown file path. Relative paths resolve against the source session `project_path` when `session_id` is provided, otherwise against the runtime cwd |
-| `record.summary` | `string` | Required retrieval summary: decision, reasoning, constraints |
+| `record.summary` | `string` | Required English retrieval summary: decision, reasoning, constraints |
 | `record.session_id` | `string` | Source session ID, if known |
 | `record.message_start` | `string` | First relevant source message UUID, if known |
 | `record.message_end` | `string` | Last relevant source message UUID, if known |
 | `record.project` | `string` | Project slug override. Defaults from `sessions.project` for `session_id` |
 
-`remember()` validates that `path` exists and is a regular file. It stores the
-normalized absolute path in `memories.path`.
+`remember()` validates that `path` exists and is a regular file, and rejects
+obvious CJK text in `summary`. It stores the normalized absolute path in
+`memories.path`.
 
 **Returns:** `{ id, path, project, created_at }`.
 
diff --git a/scripts/query.mjs b/scripts/query.mjs
index 12152c1..f8a1ea5 100644
--- a/scripts/query.mjs
+++ b/scripts/query.mjs
@@ -34,6 +34,17 @@ function assertReadOnlySql(sql) {
   }
 }
 
+const CJK_TEXT_RE = /[\p{Script=Han}\p{Script=Hiragana}\p{Script=Katakana}\p{Script=Hangul}]/u;
+
+function assertEnglishMemoryText(value, label) {
+  const text = String(value || '');
+  if (!text.trim()) return;
+  if (CJK_TEXT_RE.test(text)) {
+    const requirement = label.includes('query') ? 'must use English terms' : 'must be written in English';
+    throw new Error(`${label} ${requirement}; translate user-language terms before using the memory layer`);
+  }
+}
+
 function createQueryApi(db) {
   const q = (sql, ...p) => {
     assertReadOnlySql(sql);
@@ -403,6 +414,7 @@ function createQueryApi(db) {
   const memories = (optsOrSid) => {
     const opts = normalizeOpts(optsOrSid);
     const { limit = 50, query } = opts;
+    assertEnglishMemoryText(query, 'memories() query');
     const needsJoin = opts.branch;
     const { where: baseWhere, params } = buildWhere(opts, {
       sessionId: 'mem.session_id',
@@ -449,6 +461,7 @@ function createRememberApi(db) {
 
   const remember = ({ path: memoryPath, session_id, message_start, message_end, summary, project }) => {
     if (!memoryPath || !summary) throw new Error('remember() requires path and summary');
+    assertEnglishMemoryText(summary, 'remember() summary');
     const normalizedPath = resolveMemoryPath(memoryPath, session_id);
     const id = `mem-${Date.now()}-${Math.random().toString(36).slice(2, 8)}`;
     const proj = project || db.prepare('SELECT project FROM sessions WHERE id=?').get(session_id)?.project || null;