覚える
おぼえる
to learn, to commit to memory, to remember, to memorize
Oboeru (覚える) is an ichidan verb meaning "to learn, to commit to memory, to remember, to". Its polite form is 覚えます (oboemasu), its te form is 覚えて (oboete), its past form is 覚えた (oboeta), and its negative form is 覚えない (oboenai).
Ichidan verbJLPT N5
Oboeru (覚える) conjugation quick reference
覚える means "to learn, to commit to memory, to remember, to". Its main forms are listed below, with links to the grammar pattern behind each form.
Oboeru example sentences
新しい単語を覚えるのが難しいです。
It's difficult to remember new words.
昨日覚えたフレーズを忘れました。
I forgot the phrase I learned yesterday.
あなたの名前を覚えていません。
I don't remember your name.
How to use Oboeru: grammar notes
•覚える is usually used with the particle を to show what you're memorizing—like 単語を覚える (to memorize vocabulary).
•Be careful not to confuse 覚える (to memorize) with 思い出す (to recall); 覚える is for learning something new, not remembering something from the past.
•You can use 覚えている to say you still remember something—like 名前を覚えている (I remember the name).
•JLPT N5 level
Common phrases with Oboeru
単語を覚える（たんご を おぼえる）
to memorize vocabulary
顔を覚えている（かお を おぼえている）
to remember someone's face
やり方を覚える（やりかた を おぼえる）
to learn how to do something
Oboeru (覚える) conjugation table
| Form | Japanese | Romaji |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Forms | ||
| Dictionary Form | 覚える | oboeru |
| Masu Form | 覚えます | oboemasu |
| Te Form | 覚えて | oboete |
| Past Form | 覚えた | oboeta |
| Negative Form | 覚えない | oboenai |
| Past Negative | 覚えなかった | oboenakatta |
| Polite Forms | ||
| Polite Present | 覚えます | oboemasu |
| Polite Past | 覚えました | oboemashita |
| Polite Negative | 覚えません | oboemasen |
| Polite Past Negative | 覚えませんでした | oboemasendeshita |
| Advanced Forms | ||
| Potential Form | 覚えられる | oboerareru |
| Passive Form | 覚えられる | oboerareru |
| Causative Form | 覚えさせる | oboesaseru |
| Causative Passive | 覚えさせられる | oboesaserareru |
| Volitional Form | 覚えよう | oboeyou |
| Imperative Form | 覚えろ | oboero |
| Conditional Forms | ||
| Conditional (ば) | 覚えれば | oboereba |
| Conditional (たら) | 覚えたら | oboetara |
| Other Forms | ||
| Progressive Form | 覚えている | oboeteiru |
| Desire (たい) | 覚えたい | oboetai |
| Prohibition | 覚えるな | oboeruna |