기억나요
gieongnayo
In Korean, "I remember" is said as 기억나요 (gieongnayo).
This phrase is used to state that you have a memory of a specific event or piece of information. For example, you can use 그 사실을 기억해요 to say "I remember that fact" or 좋은 시간이었다는 걸 기억해요 to say "I remember it was a great time."
Which one should you use?
While 기억해요 can also be used to mean "I remember" or "I keep in mind", 기억나요 specifically emphasizes the memory "coming to mind" or surfacing in your consciousness.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 기억합니다 is the formal/polite version used in professional settings or when speaking to superiors. Finally, 기억나요 is the polite, informal form of the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
gieongnayo
Did you know?
- The word 기억 shares its root with the word for 'record' in several East Asian languages, treating memory as a physical ledger or written document stored in the mind.
- Using the highly formal 기억합니다 (gieokhamnida) in a casual conversation can actually make you sound cold or distant, as the strict grammar creates an unintended emotional boundary.
- To say you remember a person or a face, you might use 떠올라요 (tteoollayo), which literally means 'to float up' or 'to rise to the surface'.
Examples in context
- 그 일이 기억나요.geu iri gieoknayo.I remember that incident.
- 그 노래 제목이 기억나요.geu norae jemogi gieoknayo.I remember the song title.
- 어제 본 영화가 기억나요.eoje bon yeonghwaga gieoknayo.I remember the movie we saw yesterday.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about an old school memory.
- 서연 Seo-yeon도현 씨, 작년 파티 기억나요?Dohyeon-ssi, jaknyeon pati gieoknayo?Dohyeon, do you remember last year's party?
- 도현 Do-hyeon네, 아주 잘 기억나요.ne, aju jal gieoknayo.Yes, I remember it very well.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 재미있었어요.jeongmal jaemiisseosseoyo.It was really fun.
- 도현 Do-hyeon서연 씨도 기억나죠?Seoyeon-ssido gieoknajo?You remember too, right, Seoyeon?
