jìyì: 记忆 - Memory, Recollection

• Keywords: 记忆, jiyi, ji yi, memory in Chinese, how to say remember in Chinese, Chinese word for memory, recollection, jiyi meaning, Chinese HSK 4 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 记忆 (jìyì), which means “memory” or “recollection.” This guide explores its use as both a noun (a fond memory) and a verb (to remember), breaking down its characters, cultural significance in areas like education, and practical daily usage. Master the nuances between 记忆 (jìyì), 记住 (jìzhù), and 记得 (jìde) with clear examples to avoid common mistakes for English speakers.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jìyì
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: The faculty of the mind for storing and recalling information; a thing remembered from the past.
• In a Nutshell: 记忆 (jìyì) is the most direct and common translation for the English word “memory.” It can refer to the concept of memory itself (e.g., “She has a good memory”) or a specific memory (e.g., “a childhood memory”). While it can also be used as a verb meaning “to remember” or “to commit to memory,” this usage is often slightly more formal or technical than other common verbs like 记得 (jìde).

• 记 (jì): This character means “to record,” “to note,” or “to remember.” It's composed of the “speech” radical (言 yán) on the left and a phonetic component (己 jǐ) on the right. Think of it as “recording” something with words, whether spoken or in your mind.
• 忆 (yì): This character means “to recall” or “to think of.” It features the “heart/mind” radical (心 xīn) on the left, indicating that this is a mental or emotional activity. It's about pulling a thought or feeling from your heart.
• Together, 记 (to record) and 忆 (to recall from the heart) create 记忆 (jìyì), a comprehensive term that covers the entire process of recording, storing, and retrieving a memory.

In Chinese culture, particularly within the traditional education system, having a good 记忆 (jìyì) has long been highly valued. The practice of 背书 (bèi shū), or reciting texts from memory, is a cornerstone of classical learning. Students were expected to memorize vast amounts of classical literature, poetry, and philosophy. This cultural emphasis still surfaces today, where having a strong 记忆力 (jìyìlì), or “memory power,” is often seen as a sign of intelligence and diligence. This can be contrasted with some modern Western educational philosophies that may prioritize critical analysis or creative problem-solving over rote memorization. While this is changing in modern China, the cultural respect for a powerful memory remains. Praising someone for their good 记忆 is a genuine compliment, acknowledging their hard work and mental acuity.

记忆 is a versatile word used in many contexts.

• As a Noun (Most Common):
  • It's used to talk about the general ability to remember: 我的记忆力不好 (Wǒ de jìyìlì bù hǎo) - “My memory (power) isn't good.”
  • It refers to specific memories: 这是我最美好的童年记忆 (Zhè shì wǒ zuì měihǎo de tóngnián jìyì) - “This is my most beautiful childhood memory.”
• As a Verb (More Formal):
  • It means “to commit to memory” or “to remember,” often in a more deliberate or academic sense. For everyday conversation, 记得 (jìde) or 记住 (jìzhù) are far more common.
  • Formal Usage: 学生需要记忆大量的词汇 (Xuéshēng xūyào jìyì dàliàng de cíhuì) - “Students need to memorize a large amount of vocabulary.”

• Example 1:
  • 我对童年的记忆很模糊。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ duì tóngnián de jìyì hěn móhu.
  • English: My memory of my childhood is very vague.
  • Analysis: Here, 记忆 is used as a noun to mean “memory” or “recollection” of a specific period.
• Example 2:
  • 随着年龄的增长，他的记忆力开始衰退。
  • Pinyin: Suízhe niánlíng de zēngzhǎng, tā de jìyìlì kāishǐ shuāituì.
  • English: As he got older, his memory began to decline.
  • Analysis: This example uses the common compound word 记忆力 (jìyìlì), which specifically means “memory power” or “the ability to remember.”
• Example 3:
  • 那次旅行给我留下了深刻的记忆。
  • Pinyin: Nà cì lǚxíng gěi wǒ liúxiàle shēnkè de jìyì.
  • English: That trip left a deep memory (impression) on me.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses 记忆 as a noun, synonymous with “impression” or “recollection.” The adjective 深刻 (shēnkè - deep) is often paired with it.
• Example 4:
  • 他努力记忆每一个细节。
  • Pinyin: Tā nǔlì jìyì měi yí ge xìjié.
  • English: He worked hard to remember every detail.
  • Analysis: This shows the verb usage of 记忆, meaning “to commit to memory” through effort. It's more formal than saying 记住 (jìzhù).
• Example 5:
  • 这首歌唤醒了我许多过去的记忆。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shǒu gē huànxǐngle wǒ xǔduō guòqù de jìyì.
  • English: This song awoke many of my past memories.
  • Analysis: A very common and natural way to use 记忆 as a noun, referring to multiple past recollections.
• Example 6:
  • 我对这件事完全没有记忆。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ duì zhè jiàn shì wánquán méiyǒu jìyì.
  • English: I have absolutely no memory of this matter.
  • Analysis: This is the standard way to say you don't remember something at all, treating “memory” as a noun that you possess (or don't).
• Example 7:
  • 她的记忆力超群，能记住所有客户的名字。
  • Pinyin: Tā de jìyìlì chāoqún, néng jìzhù suǒyǒu kèhù de míngzì.
  • English: Her memory is outstanding; she can remember all the clients' names.
  • Analysis: Another example of 记忆力 (jìyìlì), highlighting its use to describe someone's inherent ability.
• Example 8:
  • 这张旧照片是关于我们友谊的珍贵记忆。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhāng jiù zhàopiàn shì guānyú wǒmen yǒuyì de zhēnguì jìyì.
  • English: This old photo is a precious memory of our friendship.
  • Analysis: 记忆 is used here as a countable noun, “a memory.”
• Example 9:
  • 医生说短暂的记忆丧失是正常的。
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng shuō duǎnzàn de jìyì sàngshī shì zhèngcháng de.
  • English: The doctor said that short-term memory loss is normal.
  • Analysis: This shows 记忆 used in a more technical or medical context.
• Example 10:
  • 那天的情景至今记忆犹新。
  • Pinyin: Nà tiān de qíngjǐng zhìjīn jìyì yóu xīn.
  • English: The scene from that day is still fresh in my memory.
  • Analysis: This uses the popular chengyu (idiom) 记忆犹新 (jìyì yóu xīn), which literally means “memory still new.” It's a very descriptive way to say you remember something clearly.

The biggest point of confusion for learners is the difference between 记忆 (jìyì), 记得 (jìde), and 记住 (jìzhù).

• 记忆 (jìyì): Primarily a noun meaning “memory.” As a verb, it's formal and means “to commit to memory.”
• 记得 (jìde): A verb describing the state of remembering, i.e., not having forgotten. It's used in questions like “Do you remember?”
• 记住 (jìzhù): A verb describing the action and result of memorizing or successfully remembering something. It's often used in commands like “Remember this!”

Common Mistake: Using 记忆 when you should use 记得.

• Incorrect: 你记忆我吗？ (Nǐ jìyì wǒ ma?)
• Why it's wrong: This literally asks, “Do you memory me?” It treats the noun “memory” like a verb for a state of being.
• Correct: 你记得我吗？ (Nǐ jìde wǒ ma?) - “Do you remember me?”

Common Mistake: Using 记忆 for a simple command to remember something.

• Slightly Unnatural: 请记忆我的电话号码。(Qǐng jìyì wǒ de diànhuà hàomǎ.)
• Why it's less common: This sounds very formal, like you're in a psychology experiment.
• Correct and Natural: 请记住我的电话号码。(Qǐng jìzhù wǒ de diànhuà hàomǎ.) - “Please remember my phone number.”

• 记住 (jìzhù) - A verb meaning to memorize or remember successfully. It emphasizes the action and result.
• 记得 (jìde) - A verb meaning to remember, in the sense of not having forgotten. It describes a state.
• 忘记 (wàngjì) - The direct antonym of remembering: to forget.
• 回忆 (huíyì) - To recall; a recollection. This term emphasizes the active process of looking back on the past.
• 印象 (yìnxiàng) - Impression. What you remember is often your impression of an event.
• 纪念 (jìniàn) - To commemorate or to souvenir. This is about actions or objects that help one remember.
• 记忆力 (jìyìlì) - A compound noun meaning “memory power” or one's ability to remember.
• 失忆 (shīyì) - Amnesia; to lose one's memory. The direct opposite of having a memory.
• 背诵 (bèisòng) - To recite from memory, often related to texts or poems.