Translation guide
The act of committing something to memory. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the noun 暗記 (あんき) or the verb 覚える (おぼえる). The choice depends on whether you are emphasizing the process of memorizing or the state of having memorized.
Expressing the act of memorizing facts, words, or procedures, often for study or performance.
The most direct noun for 'memorization'. Often used in educational contexts.
Memorizing vocabulary is tough.
He is good at memorizing historical dates.
The most common verb for 'to memorize' or 'to learn by heart'. It can also mean 'to remember' or 'to learn' in general.
Refers more to 'memory' as a faculty or the act of remembering, but can be used in compounds like 記憶する (to memorize/remember). Slightly more formal.
Rote memorization, often with a negative connotation of memorizing without understanding.
Focusing on the action of putting something into memory.
Specifically memorizing scripts, music, or choreography.
暗記 is a noun meaning 'memorization', while 覚える is a verb meaning 'to memorize'. Use 暗記する as a verb (to do memorization) or 覚える as a more general verb for learning by heart. 覚える can also mean 'to remember' or 'to learn', so context is important.
覚える (oboeru) means 'to memorize' or 'to learn', while 思い出す (omoidasu) means 'to recall' or 'to remember' something from the past. If you want to say 'I remember his name', use 思い出す, not 覚える.
Memorization is not the same as understanding.
I need to memorize this speech.
この詩を覚えなきゃ。
I have to memorize this poem.
I memorized 10 new words.
I have a good memory (ability to memorize).
Please memorize that number.
試験のために教科書を丸暗記した。
I rote-memorized the textbook for the exam.
I remembered his name.