覚える vs 記憶する
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 覚える
Listen to 記憶する
| 覚える | 記憶する |
|---|---|
o-KA-e-ru verb | きおくする verb |
| to memorize; to learn and remember | to memorize; to store something in memory |
How they differ
記憶する is more objective and technical than 覚える. It often describes the act or state of keeping information in memory, and it can sound more formal or psychological, while 覚える is used more broadly for learning something and being able to recall it.
When to use each
When to use 覚える: Use 覚える when you mean learning something so you can remember and use it, such as vocabulary, a song, or a route.
When to use 記憶する: Use 記憶する when you want to emphasize the memory function itself, or when speaking in a more formal, academic, or clinical way.
Side-by-side examples
- この単語を覚えるのに時間がかかった。
(It took time to memorize this word.) - 彼はその数字を正確に記憶していた。
(He had accurately remembered those numbers.)
Register & nuance: 記憶する is more formal and often appears in writing, study contexts, and technical language.