覚える · ichidan verb
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 覚える | 覚えない |
| Polite | 覚えます | 覚えません |
| Past polite | 覚えました | 覚えませんでした |
| Past | 覚えた | 覚えなかった |
| Te-form | 覚えて | 覚えないで |
| Desire | 覚えたい | 覚えたくない |
| Potential | 覚えられるalso 覚えれる | 覚えられないalso 覚えれない |
| Passive | 覚えられる | 覚えられない |
| Causative | 覚えさせる | 覚えさせない |
| Causative passive | 覚えさせられる | 覚えさせられない |
| Volitional | 覚えよう | |
| Polite volitional | 覚えましょう | |
| Imperative | 覚えろ | 覚えるな |
| Conditional | 覚えれば | 覚えなければ |
| Tara conditional | 覚えたら | 覚えなかったら |
ichidan verb, transitive verb
memorize; remember; bear in mind
Core sense: committing information to memory or keeping it in mind. Covers deliberate memorization and remembering facts, words, or instructions.
I try to memorize ten words every day.
彼の名前をなかなか覚えられない。
I just can't remember his name.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Only when written 覚える
Learning a skill, language, or knowledge through experience or study. Often implies gaining practical ability, not just rote memorization.
料理のコツを覚えるのに時間がかかった。
It took time to learn the tricks of cooking.
子供はすぐに新しい遊びを覚える。
Children pick up new games quickly.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Only when written 覚える
Used for feeling emotions, sensations, or physical discomfort. Common with nouns like 違和感, 痛み, 喜び, 不安.
彼の言葉に違和感を覚えた。
I felt something off about his words.
胸に鋭い痛みを覚えた。
I felt a sharp pain in my chest.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
Only when written 覚える
Rare, literary use for holding an opinion or regarding something in a certain way. Mostly found in fixed expressions or older writing.
彼を英雄と覚える者もいた。
There were those who regarded him as a hero.
Even though we'd only met once, he remembered my face.
It took time to learn how to do the new job.
I felt a sense of discomfort about that explanation.
I remember my childhood very well.
覚える means to memorize or learn something new, while 心得る implies a settled, internalized grasp rather than the act of acquiring it.
learning by ear; picking up by listening · having heard before; sounding familiar
memory; ability to learn
one's only trick; the one thing one knows; a one-track mind
rote memorization; learning by heart
memory; recollection; something remembered
faint memory; vague recollection
learning by heart; memorization · faint memory; vague recollection
unconsciously; unknowingly; without thinking
faint memory; vague recollection
as a reminder; to help remember
remember; recognize
memorize; commit to memory; master
easy to learn; easy to remember