When you remember something from the past, or you have something memorized, you use 覚える (oboeru).
It can be used for actions like remembering a name, or committing something to memory like a phone number. It can also describe a feeling, like when you remember how a certain food tastes.
For example, if you want to say “I remember his face,” you could say 彼の顔を覚えています (Kare no kao o oboete imasu). Or, to say “I will memorize the words,” you’d say 単語を覚えます (Tango o oboemasu).
覚える is a transitive verb, meaning it takes a direct object, usually marked by the particle を (o). This is a key point for proper usage.
§ What does 覚える (oboeru) mean?
The Japanese verb 覚える (oboeru) generally means "to remember" or "to memorize." It's a fundamental word you'll use constantly in your Japanese learning journey and in everyday conversations. Think of it as the go-to verb for putting information into your brain and being able to recall it later. It covers a wide range of remembering tasks, from short-term recall to long-term memorization.
- Japanese Word
- 覚える (oboeru)
- Definition
- to remember, to memorize
- CEFR Level
- A2
You'll find yourself using 覚える in many situations. For instance, when you're studying vocabulary, grammar, or even remembering someone's name or a particular event. It's a versatile verb that applies to both active memorization (like studying for a test) and passive remembering (like recalling a past experience).
§ When do people use 覚える?
People use 覚える in a variety of contexts where the act of retaining or recalling information is involved. Here are some common scenarios:
- Learning and Studying: This is perhaps the most obvious use. When you're learning new kanji, grammar patterns, or vocabulary, you are actively trying to 覚える them.
- Remembering Names and Faces: If you meet new people, you'll want to 覚える their names and faces.
- Recalling Experiences and Events: You can use 覚える to talk about remembering a fun trip, a past conversation, or a significant event.
- Memorizing Information: This could be anything from a phone number to a recipe to lines for a play.
Let's look at some examples to make this clearer.
新しい単語を覚えるのは難しいです。
Learning (remembering) new vocabulary is difficult.
In this example, 覚える refers to the act of committing new words to memory.
彼の名前を覚えていますか？
Do you remember his name?
Here, it's about recalling someone's name.
子供の頃の思い出をよく覚えている。
I often remember my childhood memories well.
This sentence uses 覚える to express remembering past experiences.
§ 覚える vs. 忘れる (wasureu)
It's helpful to know the opposite of 覚える, which is 忘れる (wasureu), meaning "to forget." These two verbs often come up together in conversation.
漢字をたくさん覚えたけど、すぐに忘れてしまう。
I remembered (memorized) a lot of kanji, but I forget them quickly.
Understanding this pair will significantly boost your ability to discuss memory and recall in Japanese.
§ Key takeaway for 覚える
The most important thing to remember about 覚える is its broad applicability. It's not just about rote memorization; it's about the entire process of information entering and being available in your mind. Practice using it with new vocabulary and grammar points you learn. The more you actively use it, the better you'll 覚える it!
व्याकरण पैटर्न
वाक्य संरचनाएँ
〜を覚える (〜 o oboeru)
〜を覚えています (〜 o oboete imasu)
〜を覚えたい (〜 o oboetai)
〜を覚えるのに時間がかかる (〜 o oboeru no ni jikan ga kakaru)
〜を覚えるのは難しい (〜 o oboeru no wa muzukashii)
〜を覚えるようにする (〜 o oboeru you ni suru)
〜を覚えているはずだ (〜 o oboete iru hazu da)
〜を覚えずにはいられない (〜 o oboezu ni wa irarenai)
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
10 सवालWhen 覚える means 'remember,' it implies that you are recalling something from your memory. For instance, if you 覚える a person's name, you are remembering it.
Yes, 覚える is very commonly used to mean 'to memorize.' You might 覚える new vocabulary words or a script for a play. It often suggests a conscious effort to commit something to memory.
While both relate to memory, 覚える is more common in everyday conversation and often implies a personal act of remembering or memorizing. 記憶する (きおくする) is a bit more formal and can refer to the process of storing information in memory, or the memory itself. Think of 覚える as 'to remember/memorize' and 記憶する as 'to store in memory' or 'to recall memories'.
Absolutely! A very common one is 〜を覚える (〜 wo oboeru), which means 'to remember/memorize ~.' For example, 名前を覚える (namae wo oboeru) means 'to remember a name.' You might also hear 覚えている (oboete iru) meaning 'to be remembering' or 'to have remembered.'
覚える is an ichidan (Group 2) verb.
Present/Future (Dictionary form): 覚える (oboeru)
Negative: 覚えない (oboenai)
Past: 覚えた (oboeta)
Te-form: 覚えて (oboete)
Masu-form: 覚えます (oboemasu)
Sometimes. While 覚える can imply a process of learning to the point of memorization, it's not a direct equivalent to 'learn' in all contexts. For example, to say 'learn Japanese,' you'd typically use 日本語を習う (nihongo wo narau) or 日本語を勉強する (nihongo wo benkyō suru), not 覚える. However, if you are learning something by memorizing it, like a song or a poem, then 覚える can fit.
The most common particle used with 覚える is を (wo), indicating the direct object that is being remembered or memorized. For example, 単語を覚える (tango wo oboeru - to memorize words). You might also see は (wa) or が (ga) for emphasis or subject marking in certain sentence structures.
覚える is a transitive verb. This means it takes a direct object, which is usually marked by the particle を (wo). You 'remember/memorize' something.
The kanji for 覚える is 覚. Its primary kun'yomi (Japanese reading) in this context is おぼえる (oboeru). Other readings exist, such as さめる (sameru) for 'to wake up' or さます (samasu) for 'to awaken (someone),' but for 'to remember/memorize,' it's oboeru.
Both relate to recalling, but there's a nuance. 覚える often implies a more active, conscious act of committing something to memory or the state of having something in memory. 思い出す (おもいだす) specifically means 'to recall' or 'to recollect,' often when something has slipped your mind and you're making an effort to bring it back. If you 'remember' a name (覚える), it means you know it. If you 'recall' a name (思い出す), it means you had forgotten it for a moment and now it's come back to you.
खुद को परखो 18 सवाल
Choose the correct kanji for 'oboueru' (to remember/memorize).
覚える (oboeru) means to remember or memorize. 忘れる (wasureru) means to forget. 見える (mieru) means to be visible. 聞える (kikoeru) means to be audible.
Which of these sentences correctly uses 覚える (oboeru)?
覚える is used for learning and retaining information, like vocabulary. While you might remember a movie or a friend, the verb 覚える is typically used in the context of memorizing facts, words, or skills.
What is the most natural way to say 'I need to memorize this' in Japanese?
覚える必要があります (oboeru hitsuyou ga arimasu) means 'I need to memorize'. 忘れる (wasureru) means to forget, 思い出す (omoidasu) means to recall/remember spontaneously, and 覚えたくありません (oboetaku arimasen) means 'I don't want to memorize'.
You can use 覚える (oboeru) to talk about memorizing a phone number.
Yes, 覚える is commonly used for memorizing information like phone numbers, addresses, or dates.
覚える (oboeru) is typically used when you suddenly remember something you had forgotten.
No, 覚える is about the process of learning and retaining new information. When you suddenly remember something you had forgotten, the verb 思い出す (omoidasu) is more appropriate.
The past tense of 覚える is 覚えた (oboeta).
Yes, 覚えた (oboeta) is the plain past tense form of 覚える (oboeru).
Choose the correct kanji for 'oboru' (to remember/memorize) in the following sentence: 私は新しい単語を___のが好きです。
The sentence means 'I like to ___ new words.' '覚える' (oboeru) means to remember or memorize, fitting the context.
Which of the following sentences correctly uses '覚える' to mean 'to memorize'?
This sentence means 'He memorized a new song,' directly using '覚える' in its context of memorization. The other sentences use different verbs or contexts.
Select the sentence where '覚える' means 'to remember' rather than 'to memorize'.
While '覚える' can mean both, '名前を覚えている' implies remembering someone's name, often a state of knowing it from prior learning, rather than actively memorizing it at that moment. The other options lean more towards active memorization of information or skills.
'覚える' can be used to say 'I remember seeing him yesterday.'
Yes, '昨日彼に会ったのを覚えています' (Kinō kare ni atta no o oboete imasu) is a correct way to say 'I remember seeing him yesterday,' using '覚える' for remembering an event.
If you say 'この歌を覚えました' (Kono uta o oboemashita), it means 'I forgot this song.'
'覚えました' is the past tense of '覚える' (to remember/memorize). So, 'この歌を覚えました' means 'I memorized this song' or 'I remembered this song,' not 'I forgot this song.'
You can use '覚える' to talk about learning a new skill, like riding a bicycle.
Yes, '自転車の乗り方を覚える' (Jitensha no norikata o oboeru) means 'to learn how to ride a bicycle,' which is a common use of '覚える' for acquiring skills.
複雑な理論を___のは容易ではない。
「複雑な理論を覚える」は、'to memorize complex theories' という意味で、文脈に最も適しています。
多くの歴史的日付を___ことは、歴史家にとって非常に重要です。
歴史的日付を記憶することは、歴史家の仕事において中心的な役割を果たすため、「覚える」が適切です。
新しいプログラミング言語の構文を___のに数週間かかった。
新しいプログラミング言語の構文を習得し、記憶する意味で「覚える」が正解です。
子供の頃の記憶をすべて覚えている。
人間は子供の頃のすべての記憶を覚えているわけではありません。多くは時間とともに薄れたり、忘れられたりします。
一度覚えたことは、二度と忘れることはない。
残念ながら、一度覚えたことでも、使わないと忘れてしまうことがあります。
試験のために、一夜漬けで大量の情報を覚えるのは効果的な学習法である。
一夜漬けで覚えた情報は短期記憶に残りやすく、長期的な理解や定着には効果的ではありません。
/ 18 correct
Perfect score!
उदाहरण
新しい単語を覚えます。
संबंधित सामग्री
यह शब्द अन्य भाषाओं में
education के और शब्द
欠席する
A2To be absent.
抽象的
A1Describes something that is based on general ideas or concepts rather than specific physical objects or examples. It is often used to talk about thoughts, art, or explanations that are not easy to see or touch.
後天的
B2Refers to qualities, skills, or traits acquired through experience, learning, or environmental influence after birth.
応用
A1The act of applying a principle, theory, or knowledge to a practical situation or a different context. It is commonly used in education and science to describe moving from basic concepts to complex, real-world problems.
適性
B2A natural ability or suitability for a specific role, task, or academic path. It refers to the fitness of an individual's character or skills to a certain environment.
恣意的
B2Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system. Often used in academic writing to criticize research methods or data selection.
出席する
A2To attend.
ボールペン
A2ballpoint pen
基本
A1Kihon refers to the fundamentals or basics of a subject, skill, or system. it describes the essential foundation that one must master before advancing to more complex levels.
有益
B2Being useful, beneficial, or profitable. It describes something that brings a positive effect or helps in achieving a goal.
