Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Remember" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "remember", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
おぼえる
おぼえる (oboeru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
覚える
おぼえる (oboeru)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "remember" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between おぼえる and 覚える.
In Japanese, おぼえる (おぼえる (oboeru)) is typically associated with "to remember, to memorize" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used for remembering facts, learning something by heart, or recalling a person/event..
On the other hand, 覚える (おぼえる (oboeru)) maps to "to remember, to memorize" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents Transitive verb. Requires an object. Used for learning/memorizing information, or recalling something.. A literal translation of "remember" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "おぼえる"
漢字を毎日覚えます。
I memorize kanji every day.
Bilingual Context for "覚える"
新しい言葉を覚えました。
I learned (memorized) new words.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "漢字を毎日覚えます。" (Meaning: "I memorize kanji every day.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "おぼえる" fits here because it means "to remember, to memorize" in the context of: "I memorize kanji every day.". "覚える" represents "to remember, to memorize".