Meaning
记 is a fundamental verb meaning to remember, record, or commit something to memory or paper. It appears in many common words related to memory, writing, and documentation. The character combines the radical 讠(speech) with 己 (self), originally suggesting keeping something in one's own speech or mind.
Usage
记 is extremely common in everyday speech and writing. It can mean mentally remembering something (我记得 'I remember') or physically recording information (记笔记 'take notes'). Often used in compounds like 记住 (to remember/memorize), 忘记 (to forget), and 日记 (diary). Native speakers use it naturally in both formal and informal contexts.
Examples
- 01你记住我的电话号码了吗？?Did you remember my phone number?
- 02老师让我们记下重要的内容。.The teacher asked us to write down the important content.
Common collocations
- 记笔记to take notes
- 记不住can't remember
- 记日记to keep a diary
- 记清楚to remember clearly
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 記 consists of 言 (speech/words) and 己 (self), suggesting the idea of keeping words or information for oneself, either in memory or in writing.