记忆力 (jìyìlì)

记忆力 refers specifically to the mental capacity or faculty to retain and recall information, as opposed to 记忆 (jìyì) which can mean a specific memory or the act of memorizing.

Meanings

[noun] memory; the ability to remember; retentive power

Example Sentences

他的记忆力非常好，能记住很多细节。 Tā de jìyìlì fēicháng hǎo, néng jìzhù hěn duō xìjié. His memory is excellent; he can remember many details.

随着年龄增长，记忆力往往会有所下降。 Suízhe niánlíng zēngzhǎng, jìyìlì wǎngwǎng huì yǒusuǒ xiàjiàng. Memory tends to decline somewhat as one gets older.

充足的睡眠有助于提高记忆力。 Chōngzú de shuìmián yǒuzhù yú tígāo jìyìlì. Adequate sleep helps to improve memory.

学习一门新语言可以锻炼记忆力。 Xuéxí yī mén xīn yǔyán kěyǐ duànliàn jìyìlì. Learning a new language can train and strengthen memory.

这种疾病会损害患者的记忆力。 Zhè zhǒng jíbìng huì sǔnhài huànzhě de jìyìlì. This disease can damage a patient's memory.

科学家正在研究如何增强人类的记忆力。 Kēxuéjiā zhèngzài yánjiū rúhé zēngqiáng rénlèi de jìyìlì. Scientists are studying how to enhance human memory.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
记忆力好/差 (jìyìlì hǎo/chà)	good/poor memory
提高记忆力 (tígāo jìyìlì)	to improve memory
增强记忆力 (zēngqiáng jìyìlì)	to enhance memory
记忆力下降 (jìyìlì xiàjiàng)	memory decline
锻炼记忆力 (duànliàn jìyìlì)	to train one's memory

Usage Notes

The suffix 力 (lì) denotes an ability or power, so 记忆力 specifically means the capacity for memory, not a particular memory. Compare: 记忆 (jìyì) = a memory / the act of memorizing; 记忆力 (jìyìlì) = the power of memory / memory as a faculty.

This distinction is similar in English to "memory" (specific recollection) vs. "memory capacity/ability." At B2 level it is important to use 记忆力 when discussing the mental faculty and 记忆 when referring to specific memories or the act of memorizing.

Memory Hook

记 (to record) + 忆 (to recollect) + 力 (power/ability): the power to record and recollect -- your memory ability.