jìde: 记得 - To Remember, To Recall

• Keywords: jide, 记得, remember in Chinese, how to say remember in Mandarin, recall in Chinese, jide meaning, Chinese word for remember, jide vs xiang qi lai, jide grammar, HSK 3 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb “记得” (jìde), meaning “to remember” or “to recall.” This guide breaks down its core meaning, cultural significance, and practical use in daily conversation. Understand the crucial difference between 记得 (jìde), the state of remembering, and its common counterparts like 想起来 (xiǎng qǐlai) and 记住 (jìzhù) to avoid common mistakes and speak more naturally.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jìde
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To hold a piece of information in one's memory; to remember or recall.
• In a Nutshell: `记得` describes the state of having a memory. It’s not about the *action* of suddenly recalling something you forgot, but rather the continuous state of “not having forgotten.” If you can answer a question like “What is his name?” without hesitation, you `记得` his name. Think of it as information that is currently stored and accessible in your mind.

• 记 (jì): This character means “to record,” “to note,” or “to remember.” The left part, 言 (yán), is the radical for “speech” or “words,” suggesting that recording information (originally through words) is central to its meaning.
• 得 (de): This character acts as a resultative or potential complement in many verbs. It signifies that a result or state has been achieved.
• Combined Meaning: When you put them together, `记 (jì)` + `得 (de)` literally means “to record and have achieved the result.” This perfectly creates the meaning of being in the state of having successfully remembered something.

While “remembering” is a universal human experience, the act of using `记得` in Chinese social interactions carries a significant weight of care and respect. In Western cultures, we might say “Nice to see you again,” which is polite but neutral. In China, hearing a friend or acquaintance say “我还记得你” (Wǒ hái jìde nǐ) — “I still remember you” — is a much warmer and more personal affirmation. It implies that the person has held a space for you in their mind, which strengthens the `关系 (guānxi)`, or relationship. Forgetting someone's name or a shared past event can be seen as more than a simple memory lapse; it can signal a lack of care or that the relationship is not valued. Conversely, remembering small details—a person's hometown, their favorite food, a story they once told—is a powerful and low-cost way to show respect and build rapport. It communicates: “You are important enough for me to remember.”

`记得` is a high-frequency, everyday verb used across all levels of formality.

• Asking if Someone Remembers: This is extremely common, especially when reuniting with people. The phrase “你还记得我吗？” (Nǐ hái jìde wǒ ma? - Do you still remember me?) is a classic conversation starter.
• Stating You Remember/Don't Remember: Simple statements like “我记得” (Wǒ jìde - I remember) or “我不记得了” (Wǒ bù jìde le - I don't remember anymore) are fundamental. Note the use of `了 (le)` in the negative form to indicate a change of state (from remembering to not remembering).
• Reminders and Instructions: It can be used to gently command or remind someone. For example, a parent might say, “记得做作业” (Jìde zuò zuòyè - Remember to do your homework).
• Social Media: It's often used nostalgically. A user might post an old photo with the caption: “记得我们第一次去海边吗？” (Jìde wǒmen dì yī cì qù hǎibiān ma? - Remember the first time we went to the beach?).

• Example 1:
  • 我不记得他的名字了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bù jìde tā de míngzi le.
  • English: I don't remember his name anymore.
  • Analysis: A classic negative sentence. The particle `了 (le)` is crucial here, indicating a change of state—you once knew it, but now you don't.
• Example 2:
  • 你记得明天要开会吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ jìde míngtiān yào kāihuì ma?
  • English: Do you remember that we have a meeting tomorrow?
  • Analysis: This shows `记得` used to check if someone is aware of a future obligation. It functions like “Are you aware of…” or “Have you forgotten that…”.
• Example 3:
  • 我清楚地记得那天下了很大的雪。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ qīngchǔ de jìde nàtiān xiàle hěn dà de xuě.
  • English: I clearly remember that it snowed heavily that day.
  • Analysis: The adverb `清楚地 (qīngchǔ de)` means “clearly,” modifying `记得` to emphasize the vividness of the memory.
• Example 4:
  • A: 我们以前见过吗？ (Wǒmen yǐqián jiànguò ma? - Have we met before?)
  • B: 见过，在李老师的派对上，你不记得了？ (Jiànguò, zài Lǐ lǎoshī de pàiduì shàng, nǐ bù jìde le?)
  • English: B: Yes, at Teacher Li's party. You don't remember?
  • Analysis: This dialogue shows a common interaction. The negative question “你不记得了？” expresses surprise that the other person has forgotten.
• Example 5:
  • 记得出门的时候关灯。
  • Pinyin: Jìde chūmén de shíhòu guān dēng.
  • English: Remember to turn off the lights when you go out.
  • Analysis: Here, `记得` is used as a command or a strong reminder, similar to “Don't forget to…”
• Example 6:
  • 我记不得这是谁送的礼物了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jì bu de zhè shì shéi sòng de lǐwù le.
  • English: I can't remember who gave this gift.
  • Analysis: `记不得 (jì bu de)` is the potential complement form, meaning “cannot remember” or “unable to recall.” It's a very common alternative to `不记得 (bù jìde)`.
• Example 7:
  • 我好像记得把钥匙放在桌子上了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hǎoxiàng jìde bǎ yàoshi fàng zài zhuōzi shàng le.
  • English: I seem to remember putting the keys on the table.
  • Analysis: `好像 (hǎoxiàng)` means “to seem,” softening the certainty of the memory. This is a very natural way to express a vague recollection.
• Example 8:
  • 这么多年了，你还记得我，真难得。
  • Pinyin: Zhème duō nián le, nǐ hái jìde wǒ, zhēn nándé.
  • English: After so many years, you still remember me. That's really rare/special.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the cultural weight of remembering someone over a long period. `真难得 (zhēn nándé)` expresses pleasant surprise and appreciation.
• Example 9:
  • 他能记得每一个学生的名字。
  • Pinyin: Tā néng jìde měi yí ge xuéshēng de míngzi.
  • English: He can remember every single student's name.
  • Analysis: `能 (néng)` is used here to express the ability or capacity to remember.
• Example 10:
  • 你记不记得我们小时候最喜欢玩的游戏？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ jì bu jìde wǒmen xiǎoshíhòu zuì xǐhuān wán de yóuxì?
  • English: Do you remember the game we loved to play the most when we were little?
  • Analysis: This uses the “A-not-A” question structure (`记不记得`) which is a common alternative to the `吗 (ma)` question form. It's often used in informal, conversational settings.

The most significant point of confusion for learners is the difference between `记得 (jìde)`, `记住 (jìzhù)`, and `想起来 (xiǎng qǐlai)`.

• `记得 (jìde)` vs. `想起来 (xiǎng qǐlai)`
  • `记得` is the state of having a memory. You either remember it or you don't.
  • `想起来 (xiǎng qǐlai)` is the action of recalling a memory, especially one you had temporarily forgotten. It's the “Aha!” moment.
  • Correct Usage:
    • A: 你记得我的电话号码吗？ (Nǐ jìde wǒ de diànhuà hàomǎ ma?) - Do you remember my phone number? (State)
    • B: 嗯…让我想想…啊，想起来了！是 12345。 (Èn… ràng wǒ xiǎngxiang… ā, xiǎng qǐlai le! Shì 12345.) - Umm… let me think… ah, I remember now! It's 12345. (Action of recalling)
  • Common Mistake: Saying “我想起来” when you mean “我记得”.
    • Incorrect: 我想起来你的名字是马丁。(Wǒ xiǎng qǐlai nǐ de míngzi shì Mǎdīng.) → This sounds like you just struggled to recall it.
    • Correct: 我记得你的名字是马丁。(Wǒ jìde nǐ de míngzi shì Mǎdīng.) → This means “I remember your name is Martin” (a simple fact stored in my memory).
• `记得 (jìde)` vs. `记住 (jìzhù)`
  • `记得` is about retrieving from memory.
  • `记住 (jìzhù)` is about putting into memory; to memorize. The `住 (zhù)` complement implies firmness and success in the action.
  • Correct Usage:
    • 记住这个地址，我们明天要去。(Jìzhù zhège dìzhǐ, wǒmen míngtiān yào qù.) - Memorize this address, we're going tomorrow. (Action of memorizing)
    • A: 你记住了吗？(Nǐ jìzhù le ma?) - Have you memorized it?
    • B: 记住了。我明天肯定记得。(Jìzhù le. Wǒ míngtiān kěndìng jìde.) - I've memorized it. I will definitely remember it tomorrow. (The result of memorizing is being in the state of remembering).

• 忘记 (wàngjì) - The direct antonym of `记得`. It means “to forget.”
• 记住 (jìzhù) - A related verb meaning “to memorize” or “to commit to memory.” It's the action of putting information in.
• 想起来 (xiǎng qǐlai) - A verb phrase meaning “to recall” or “to bring to mind,” emphasizing the action of retrieving a forgotten memory.
• 回忆 (huíyì) - A noun for “memory” or a verb for “to reminisce.” It's often more formal and nostalgic than `记得`.
• 记忆 (jìyì) - A noun meaning “memory” as a concept or faculty (e.g., “a good memory” - `记忆力好`).
• 提醒 (tíxǐng) - A verb meaning “to remind.” If you're afraid someone won't `记得`, you can `提醒` them.
• 印象 (yìnxiàng) - A noun for “impression.” You can say “我有一个印象…” (Wǒ yǒu yí ge yìnxiàng… - I have an impression that…), which is a less certain form of `记得`.