How to Say "I Remember" in Japanese

覚えている

oboete iru

The English phrase "I remember" is translated into Japanese as 覚えている (oboete iru).

覚えている is used to express that a piece of information is currently stored in one's memory.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

There are several ways to express this depending on the setting.

The phrase uses the ~te iru form to indicate a continuous state of having something in one's memory.

oboete iru

Japanese has a distinct word 懐かしい ('natsukashii') for when remembering something triggers a feeling of warm nostalgia. While 覚えている is a factual statement of memory, 懐かしい is an emotional reaction to a memory.
In formal Japanese, you might hear the word 記憶 ('kioku') for 'memory', which literally combines the characters for 'record' and 'remember'. This frames memory as a physical record stored in the mind.
Japanese uses different verbs for remembering based on the 'direction' of the memory. 覚えている is like holding a file in your hand, while 思い出す is like reaching back into a drawer to find one.

私は彼をよく覚えている。
I remember him well.
This sentence is useful for showing how to use 覚えている to say you remember a person well.
Tatoeba #153644 by bunbuku, translation #260900 by CK
彼に会ったことを覚えている。
I remember seeing him.
This sentence shows how to use 覚えている to express remembering an action.
Tatoeba #118646 by bunbuku, translation #285017 by CK
その本を読んだ事を覚えている。
I remember reading the book.
This sentence demonstrates using 覚えている to express remembering a past event like reading a book.
Tatoeba #206614 by KK_kaku_, translation #43862 by CM
昨日の出来事をよく思い出します。
I remember yesterday's events well.
会議の内容はしっかり覚えています。
I remember the contents of the meeting clearly.
この歌の歌詞、覚えていますか？
Do you remember the lyrics of this song?
その映画、覚えてるよ。
I remember that movie.
放課後のこと、よく覚えてるよ。
I remember what happened after school well.
今朝の出来事、忘れないよ。
I won't forget what happened this morning.
10 more sentences on Tatoeba

Ren and Misaki are talking about a restaurant they visited before.

蓮 Ren

あの店の名前、覚えている？
Ano mise no namae, oboete iru?
Do you remember the name of that shop?
美咲 Misaki

うん、覚えているよ。
Un, oboete iru yo.
Yeah, I remember.
蓮 Ren

よかった、久しぶりに行こう。
Yokatta, hisashiburi ni ikou.
Good, let's go there after a long time.
美咲 Misaki

楽しみだね！
Tanoshimi dane!
I'm looking forward to it!

Sources

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