“To remember” in Japanese is 覚える (おぼえる), pronounced oboeru.
Pronunciation
The word has 4 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To memorise or remember. “I remember” in the sense of still knowing is 覚えています.
Example sentences
- 漢字を覚えるのは難しいです。かんじをおぼえるのはむずかしいです。Memorising kanji is hard.
- 私の名前を覚えていますか。わたしのなまえをおぼえていますか。Do you remember my name?
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 覚える. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 覚える おぼえる | remember |
| Polite present | 覚えます おぼえます | remember |
| Polite negative | 覚えません おぼえません | don’t remember |
| Polite past | 覚えました おぼえました | past of “remember” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 覚えない おぼえない | don’t remember (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 覚えた おぼえた | past of “remember” (casual) |
| て-form | 覚えて おぼえて | remember and… / please remember (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 覚えたい おぼえたい | want to remember |
Quick practice
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to remember in Japanese?
To remember in Japanese is 覚える (おぼえる), pronounced “oboeru”.
How do you write to remember in Japanese?
It's written 覚える with kanji, or おぼえる in hiragana. Both are read oboeru.
Is 覚える on the JLPT?
Yes. 覚える (oboeru) is a common word at JLPT N4 level, so it's worth learning early.