Translation and Meaning of: 覚える - oboeru

The Japanese word 覚える (おぼえる) is an essential verb for anyone learning the language, as it is directly linked to the act of memorizing, recalling, or learning something. Whether it's about storing information, acquiring skills, or simply remembering a fact, this term frequently appears in the daily lives of Japanese people. In this article, we will explore its meaning, practical use, and some curiosities that can assist in your learning.

In addition to being useful in everyday situations, 覚える also has interesting nuances that reflect aspects of Japanese culture. If you have ever wondered how natives use this word in different contexts or how it differs from other similar terms, keep reading to find out more. Here at Suki Nihongo, our goal is to provide clear and precise explanations to facilitate your studies.

Meaning and use of 覚える

覚える is a verb that can be translated as "memorize," "learn," or "remember," depending on the context. It is often used when someone is trying to store information in their mind, such as when studying for an exam or memorizing a phone number. For example, if a teacher asks students to remember a grammatical rule, they might say 「この文法を覚えてください」 (kono bunpou o oboete kudasai).

Another common use is when someone acquires a practical skill, such as driving or cooking. In these cases, the verb carries the idea of mastering something through repeated practice. It is worth noting that, although it may seem similar to 学ぶ (manabu – "to study"), 覚える has a more specific focus on the retention of knowledge or the ability to reproduce something.

Origin and writing of kanji

The kanji 覚 is composed of the radical 見 (miru – "to see") combined with 交 (kou – "crossing" or "interaction"). This combination suggests the idea of "perceiving through observation," which makes sense when we think about memorizing something after noticing or experiencing it repeatedly. Sources like Kanjipedia and the dictionary 漢字源 confirm this relationship between visualization and learning.

It is interesting to note that the same kanji can also be read as かく (kaku) in words like 自覚 (jikaku – "awareness") or 感覚 (kankaku – "sensation"). However, in the form おぼえる, it is always associated with the act of retaining information or skills. This duality of readings is common in Japanese and emphasizes the importance of studying kanjis in context.

Tips for memorizing 覚える

An effective way to fix this verb is to associate it with everyday situations. For example, when studying vocabulary, you can create sentences like 「単語を覚えるのが大変です」 (tango o oboeru no ga taihen desu – "Memorizing words is difficult"). Repeating the term in real contexts helps to remember not only its meaning but also its conjugation.

Another strategy is to use kanji to your advantage. Remember that the radical 見 ("to see") is present in 覚 – that is, you "see" something repeatedly until you memorize it. This visual association can be helpful for those who learn better with mnemonic tips. Research on language learning methods, such as those mentioned by the Japan Foreign Language Institute, shows that visual connections improve vocabulary retention.

Frequency and importance in Japanese

覚える is classified as a frequently used verb in lists like the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), appearing since level N5. Its presence in teaching materials and everyday conversations makes it indispensable for students. Linguistic corpus research shows that it is among the 1000 most commonly used verbs in written and spoken texts.

In addition, derived expressions such as 覚えている (oboete iru – "to remember") or 覚えていない (oboete inai – "not to remember") are common in informal dialogues. If you watch animes or dramas, you have probably heard characters saying things like 「覚えてる？」 (oboeteru? – "Do you remember?"). This kind of natural exposure to the language makes it easier to recognize and use the word.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 覚ます (samasu) - wake up; awaken someone.
• 記憶する (kioku suru) - remember; store in memory.
• 記憶に留める (kioku ni tomeru) - keep in memory; retain specific information.

覚える

Romaji: oboeru
Kana: おぼえる
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: to remember; to memorize

Meaning in English: to remember;to memorize

Definition: learn. Remember that so you don't forget.

Example Sentences - (覚える) oboeru

See below some example sentences:

私は日本語を覚えるために毎日勉強しています。

Watashi wa nihongo o oboeru tame ni mainichi benkyou shiteimasu

I study Japanese every day to keep myself sharp.

I study every day to learn Japanese.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
• 日本語 (nihongo) - noun meaning "Japanese"
• を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "japonês"
• 覚える (oboeru) - verb that means "to remember" or "to learn"
• ために (tameni) - expression meaning "for" or "in order to"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - noun that means "every day"
• 勉強しています (benkyou shiteimasu) - The expression that means "I am studying"

熟語を覚えるのは日本語学習の基本です。

Jukugo wo oboeru no wa nihongo gakushuu no kihon desu

Learning idioms is fundamental to learning Japanese.

It's the basics of learning Japanese to learn idioms.

• 熟語 - jukugo - Japanese compound words
• を - wo - object particle
• 覚える - oboeru - memorize, remember
• のは - no wa - Topic particle
• 日本語 - nihongo - Japanese language
• 学習 - gakushuu - Study, learning
• の - Não Possession particle
• 基本 - kihon - basic, fundamental
• です - is (a Japanese copula, often used to indicate a state of being) verb to be, to stay

ローマ字を覚えるのは難しいです。

Rōmaji wo oboeru no wa muzukashii desu

Learning romaji is hard.

It's hard to learn roman letters.

• ローマ字 - "romaji" - Japanese writing system that uses the Latin alphabet
• を - direct object particle
• 覚える - "oboeru" - remember, memorize
• のは - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 難しい - "muzukashii" - difficult
• です - Polite form of "to be" or "to stay"

操作を覚えるのに時間がかかることがあります。

Sōsa o oboeru no ni jikan ga kakaru koto ga arimasu

It may take some time to learn the operation.

• 操作 (sousa) - action, operation
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 覚える (oboeru) - remember, memorize
• のに (noni) - conjunction indicating a condition or reason
• 時間 (jikan) - time, hour
• が (ga) - subject particle
• かかる (kakaru) - take time, delay
• こと (koto) - abstract noun, in this case "fact"
• が (ga) - subject particle
• あります (arimasu) - Verb "to be" in the present tense

覚えが悪いです。

Oboe ga warui desu

I have a bad memory.

I do not remember.

• 覚え - Means "memory" in Japanese.
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 悪い - adjective that means "bad" or "evil".
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form.