기억나?
gieongna?
The phrase "do you remember?" in Korean is 기억나? (gieongna?)
Which one should you use?
There is a subtle difference between 기억나? and 기억해? The form 기억나? asks if a memory naturally surfaces in your mind, whereas 기억해? (derived from the verb 기억하다) asks if you are actively holding or keeping that memory in your mind.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the suffix –요 to the end makes the polite form 기억나요?, which is suitable for speaking to people older than you or in formal settings. The form 기억나니? is a casual way to ask the question, often used by elders to younger people or between very close friends. You can also add 아직 to the phrase to create 아직 기억해?, which adds a nuance of "yet" to ask if a person still remembers something.
How do you pronounce it?
gieongna?
Did you know?
- Korean has a distinct word 그리워하다 for 'remembering' someone with longing or nostalgia, which cannot be replaced by 기억하다 in an emotional context.
- The verb root in 기억나? is actually part of the word 'gi-eok', which is a Sino-Korean word derived from Chinese characters. This makes it feel more formal or structured than purely native Korean verbs.
- In Korean culture, asking 기억나요? to an elder about a shared past event can sometimes be seen as a test of their memory, which may be sensitive.
Examples in context
- 아직 기억해? 어제 먹은 맛있는 음식이 좋았잖아.Do you still remember? The delicious food we had yesterday was great.
- 우리 그때 기억나?uri geuttae gieokna?Do you remember that time?
- 어제 일 기억나?eoje il gieokna?Do you remember yesterday's matter?
- 그 영화 제목 기억나?geu yeonghwa jemok gieokna?Do you remember the title of that movie?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about an old school memory.
- 지은 Ji-eun민준아, 우리 초등학교 때 기억나?Minjun-a, uri chodeunghakgyo ttae gieokna?Minjun, do you remember when we were in elementary school?
- 민준 Min-jun응, 조금 기억나.eung, jogeum gieokna.Yes, I remember a little bit.
- 지은 Ji-eun우리 같이 축구했던 거 기억나?uri gachi chukguhatdeon geo gieokna?Do you remember us playing soccer together?
- 민준 Min-jun당연히 기억나지!dangyeonhi gieoknaji!Of course I remember!
