记得
jìde
The Chinese phrase for 'remember' is 记得 (jìde).
记得 is used to describe the state of having a memory of something or not forgetting a piece of information. To say 'remember to do something', you use the structure 记得 followed by a verb, such as 记得查字典 (remember to check the dictionary).
Which one should you use?
While 记得 refers to the state of already having a memory (to remember), the phrase 记住 refers to the active process of committing something to memory (to memorize or to keep in mind).
How does it change in a sentence?
记得 is a stative verb and does not change its form to indicate tense. Instead, the time context is provided by other words in the sentence, such as 了 or words meaning 'already'.
How do you pronounce it?
jìde
Did you know?
- In Chinese, the character 记 in 记得 is also used in the word for 'journal' or 'record', suggesting that a memory is treated like a piece of recorded information.
- The character 记 has historical roots in the concept of 'counting', implying that remembering is akin to tracking or keeping a count of information.
- In many Chinese dialects, the way one expresses 'remembering' a long-lost person might involve different characters than the standard 'remembering' of a grocery list, highlighting different levels of emotional depth.
Examples in context
- 记得查字典！Remember to use the dictionary!This sentence shows how to use 记得 to mean 'remember to'.Tatoeba #9991966 by GlossaMatik, translation #10372340 by DaoSeng
- 我记得见过他。I remember seeing him.This sentence shows how to use 记得 to describe a memory of a person.Tatoeba #1415766 by sadhen, translation #285017 by CK
- 你比我记得好。You remember it better than I do.This sentence shows how to use 记得 to compare memory abilities.Tatoeba #5763048 by verdastelo9604, translation #1121215 by Scotland
- 请记住这个密码。Please remember this password.
- 这次旅行真是忘不了。This trip is truly unforgettable.
- 记得关上窗户。Remember to close the window.
- 别担心，我已经记住了。Don't worry, I already remembered.
- 谨记我们的约定。Remember our agreement.
- 63 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a meeting time.
- 伟 Wei你记得明天的会议时间吗？Nǐ jìde míngtiān de huìyì shíjiān ma?Do you remember the time for tomorrow's meeting?
- 雨婷 Yuting我不记得了。Wǒ bù jìde le.I don't remember.
- 伟 Wei没关系，我再发给你。Méi guānxì, wǒ zài fā gěi nǐ.That's okay, I'll send it to you again.
- 雨婷 Yuting谢谢伟，太感谢了。Xièxiè Wěi, tài gǎnxiè le.Thanks Wei, I really appreciate it.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
