记忆 (jìyì)

记忆 means "memory" as a noun and "to memorize" or "to remember" as a verb, referring to the mental faculty of retaining and recalling information or past experiences.

Meanings

[noun] memory; recollection; remembrance
[verb] to memorize; to commit to memory

Example Sentences

那段童年的记忆至今难忘。 Nà duàn tóngnián de jìyì zhìjīn nánwàng. Those childhood memories are still unforgettable to this day.

她的记忆力非常好，什么都记得住。 Tā de jìyìlì fēicháng hǎo, shénme dōu jìde zhù. Her memory is very good; she can remember everything.

这首歌唤起了他的美好记忆。 Zhè shǒu gē huànqǐ le tā de měihǎo jìyì. This song evoked his beautiful memories.

学习新单词需要反复记忆。 Xuéxí xīn dāncí xūyào fǎnfù jìyì. Learning new vocabulary requires repeated memorization.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
记忆力	memory ability; memory capacity
童年记忆	childhood memories
长期记忆	long-term memory
唤起记忆	to evoke memories

Usage Notes

记忆 as a noun refers to both the faculty of memory (记忆力, memory ability) and specific memories (一段记忆, a memory). As a verb, it is more formal than 记住 (jìzhù), which means to successfully remember something. 记忆 as a verb is common in educational or psychological contexts.

Memory Hook

记 (jì) means "to note down" and 忆 (yì) means "to recall or reminisce": 记忆 is the cycle of recording and recalling that forms a memory.