覚える
oboeru[o̞bo̞e̞ɾɯ̟]
To remember in Japanese is 覚える (oboeru).
The term is used to describe the process of learning something so that it can be kept in your memory.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual settings, 覚（おぼ）えてる is a straightforward way to say one remembers and 覚（おぼ）えておいて is an informal expression used among friends or people of the same age group. If you wish to emphasize the idea of keeping something in mind or bearing something in your heart, the formal expression 心（こころ）に留（と）める is used.
How do you pronounce it?
oboeru
Did you know?
- Depending on the context, 覚える can also mean 'to feel' or 'to experience' a sensation, such as feeling pain.
- Japanese uses 覚える for both 'to memorize something for the first time' and 'to remember something already known'.
- The verb 覚える (oboeru) was not always an active verb meaning 'to remember'. It originated as an intransitive or passive form used to describe a spontaneous sensation or thought occurring to someone.
Examples in context
- 人の顔と名前を覚えるスキルが欲しい。I wish I could remember people's names and faces.This sentence shows how to express a desire to remember names and faces using 覚える.Tatoeba #3299825 by tommy_san, translation #7770569 by CK
- どうすれば、漢字を覚えることができますか？How can I remember kanji?This sentence asks how one can remember kanji using 覚える.Tatoeba #10952591 by small_snow, translation #10952589 by CK
- 覚えてますか？Do you remember me?This sentence uses 覚えてますか to ask if someone remembers.
- 明日の朝会議の内容を覚えておいてください。Please remember the content of tomorrow morning's meeting.
- 社員の意見を心に留めましょう。Let's remember/consider the employees' opinions.
- 昨日の出来事、覚えてる？Do you remember what happened yesterday?
- 明日のパーティーの場所、しっかり覚えておいてね！Make sure to remember the location of tomorrow's party, okay?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A student is asking a classmate for study advice at a library.
- 陽太 Yota単語を覚えるコツはありますか？Tango o oboeru kotsu wa arimasu ka?Do you have any tips for remembering vocabulary?
- 結衣 Yui何度も書いて覚えるのがいいですよ。Nando mo kaite oboeru no ga ii desu yo.It is good to write them many times to remember them.
- 陽太 Yota結衣さんはどうやって覚えていますか？Yui-san wa dou yatte oboete imasu ka?How do you remember them, Yui?
- 結衣 Yui私はアプリを使って練習しています。Watashi wa apuri o tsukatte renshuu shite imasu.I use an app to practice.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 覚える, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 覚える, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
