nhớ
[ɲəː˧˦]
The English phrase remember is translated into Vietnamese as nhớ.
The word nhớ is the standard and widely-used way to say remember in Vietnamese. Depending on the context, nhớ can also mean to miss or long for someone or a place. If you want to express the act of recalling or retrieving a memory, you use the phrase nhớ lại. To express that you remember or think about a specific person or thing, you may follow nhớ with the preposition về or use it directly with the object.
Which one should you use?
While nhớ is the general term for remembering, there are several variations. Use Ghi nhớ when you want to be formal and emphasize the act of retaining information. If you want to express a requirement to remember something well or to memorize it, use Nhớ kỹ. For a strict requirement to remember details specifically, use Ghi nhớ kỹ.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese culture, the concept of remembering ancestors is a spiritual duty, and the word nhớ is often linked to the act of paying respects to those who have passed.
- The formal term ghi nhớ literally combines the word for 'record' or 'write' ghi with nhớ, suggesting that formal remembering is like carving information into a permanent record.
- The word nhớ has roots in Proto-Vietic, appearing in ancient texts under different characters like 𪡑. This shows that the concept of 'remembrance' has been a core part of the language for millennia.
Examples in context
- Tôi nhớ cái này.I remember this.This sentence is useful for expressing that you remember something using nhớ.Tatoeba #13634586 by leucammieuvu, translation #3374145 by CK
- Bạn không nhớ à?Don't you remember?This sentence is useful for asking if someone remembers using nhớ.Tatoeba #13726498 by leucammieuvu, translation #2245404 by CK
- Hãy nhớ điều này!Remember this!This sentence is useful for giving a command to remember something using nhớ.Tatoeba #9000636 by dotheduyet1999, translation #961404 by shanghainese
- Nhớ nha, cuộc họp diễn ra vào ngày mai.Remember, the meeting is tomorrow.
- Bạn có nhớ chuyện đó không?Do you remember that story?
- 64 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minh and Mai are talking on the phone.
- MinhEm có nhớ anh không?Do you miss me?
- MaiEm nhớ anh lắm.I miss you a lot.
- MinhAnh cũng nhớ em.I miss you too.
- MaiKhi nào anh về thăm em?When will you come visit me?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry nhớ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries nhớ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
