기억하다 (gi-eok-ha-da, gieokhada) · 잊다 (ij-da, ijda)
기억하다 means to retain information in your mind, while 잊다 means to no longer recall information you once knew.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
To retain or recall something in one’s mind
When to use
Recalling past experience, Storing information, Remembering appointments
The nuance
Use 기억하다 when recalling or storing something experienced or learned in the past. It has a positive nuance implying the information is kept well and not lost.
To no longer recall or fail to remember something previously known
When to use
Forgetting information, Missing appointments, Admitting mistakes
The nuance
Use 잊다 when you fail to recall information you previously knew or when it unintentionally disappears from memory. Often associated with negative situations or mistakes.
나는 어제 친구 생일을 기억했다.
na-neun eo-je chin-gu saeng-il-eul gi-eok-haess-da., na neun eo je chin gu saeng il eul gi eok haess da.
Recalling a past event (friend’s birthday) fits 기억하다.
나는 어제 친구 생일을 잊었다.
na-neun eo-je chin-gu saeng-il-eul ij-eoss-da., na neun eo je chin gu saeng il eul ij eoss da.
Failing to recall friend’s birthday suits 잊다.
내가 중요한 약속을 기억하지 못했다.
nae-ga jung-yo-han yak-sok-eul gi-eok-ha-ji mos-haess-da., nae ga jung yo han yak sok eul gi eok ha ji mos haess da.
Negative form of 기억하다 is unnatural here; 잊다 should be used.
내가 중요한 약속을 잊었다.
nae-ga jung-yo-han yak-sok-eul ij-eoss-da., nae ga jung yo han yak sok eul ij eoss da.
잊다 fits forgetting an important appointment.
나는 어제 본 영화를 잊었다.
na-neun eo-je bon yeong-hwa-reul ij-eoss-da., na neun eo je bon yeong hwa reul ij eoss da.
If you can’t recall the movie, 잊다 fits; but generally 기억하다 is preferred for positive memory.
나는 어제 본 영화를 기억한다.
na-neun eo-je bon yeong-hwa-reul gi-eok-han-da., na neun eo je bon yeong hwa reul gi eok han da.
Recalling a movie watched is a positive memory, so 기억하다 is correct.
나는 숙제를 잊었다.
na-neun suk-je-reul ij-eoss-da., na neun suk je reul ij eoss da.
잊다 suits forgetting to do homework.
나는 숙제를 기억했다.
na-neun suk-je-reul gi-eok-haess-da., na neun suk je reul gi eok haess da.
Remembering homework is unnatural here; 잊다 is appropriate.
Which sentence requires '기억하다'?
Which sentence requires '잊다'?
Fill in the blank: '내가 중요한 약속을 ___'
