Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'remember'

English Word: remember

Key Russian Translations:

• помнить (/ˈpomnʲitʲ/) - [Informal, Verb, Used in everyday conversation]
• вспоминать (/fs.pɐˈmʲin.atʲ/) - [Formal, Verb, Used for actively recalling or reminiscing]

Frequency: High (Common in both spoken and written Russian, especially in daily life and literature).

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires understanding of verb conjugations, but basic forms are accessible to learners beyond beginner level. For 'помнить', it's B1; for 'вспоминать', it might lean towards B2 due to more nuanced usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

помнить: /ˈpomnʲitʲ/ (The 'п' is pronounced as a soft 'p', and the 'нь' has a palatalized 'n' sound, which can be tricky for English speakers.)

вспоминать: /fs.pɐˈmʲin.atʲ/ (Note the initial 'вс' cluster, which is pronounced as 'fs'; pay attention to the stress on the third syllable.)

Note on помнить: The soft 'н' in 'pomnʲitʲ' can vary slightly in speed speech, sometimes sounding closer to 'ny'. Beginners should practice with native audio.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: To recall or keep in mind something from the past

Translation(s) & Context:

• помнить - Used in informal contexts for general remembrance, such as personal memories.
• вспоминать - Used in more reflective or formal settings, like storytelling or therapy.

Usage Examples:

• Я помню своё детство в деревне. (Ya pomnyu svoyo detstvo v derevne.)

  I remember my childhood in the village. (This example shows 'помнить' in a simple past context, describing a personal memory.)

• Он всегда вспоминает старые истории на семейных ужинах. (On vsegda vspominayet starые istorii na semeynykh uzhinakh.)

  He always recalls old stories at family dinners. (Here, 'вспоминать' is used in a habitual action, emphasizing active recollection in social settings.)

• Помни, что обещал! (Pomni, chto obeshchal!)

  Remember what you promised! (Imperative form of 'помнить' in an informal command, common in everyday interactions.)

• Вспоминай хорошие моменты, чтобы не грустить. (Vspominay khoroshie momenty, chtoby ne grustit'.)

  Recall good moments to not feel sad. (This uses 'вспоминать' in an advisory context, showing its role in emotional regulation.)

• Мы помним героев войны. (My pomnim geroyev voyny.)

  We remember the war heroes. (Plural subject with 'помнить', illustrating its use in collective memory or historical contexts.)

Meaning 2: To memorize or commit to memory

Translation(s) & Context:

• помнить - Often used for retaining information, like facts or rules.
• запоминать (zapoMINAT') - A related verb for the act of memorizing, though not primary for 'remember'.

Usage Examples:

• Дети должны помнить таблицу умножения. (Deti dolzhny pomnit' tabitsu umnozheniya.)

  Children should remember the multiplication table. (This shows 'помнить' in an educational context, implying long-term retention.)

• Я стараюсь запоминать новые слова каждый день. (Ya starayus' zapominat' novyе slova kazhdyy den'.)

  I try to memorize new words every day. (While not the primary translation, this relates and shows progression from 'remembering' to 'memorizing'.)

• Помни пароль для входа. (Pomni parol' dlya vhoda.)

  Remember the password for login. (Imperative use in practical, everyday scenarios.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'помнить' and 'вспоминать' are verbs, which follow Russian conjugation patterns. Russian verbs are conjugated based on tense, aspect, person, and number. 'Помнить' is imperfective, while 'вспоминать' is also imperfective but can pair with perfective forms like 'вспомнить'.

Note: These verbs do not change for gender in the past tense like adjectives do, but they inflect for person and number in present and future.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • вспоминать (similar to 'помнить' but more active)
  • не забывать (literally 'not to forget'; used in contexts emphasizing retention)
• Antonyms:
  • забывать (/zəˈbivətʲ/) - To forget
  • не помнить - Not to remember

Related Phrases:

• Помни о прошлом - Remember the past (Used in reflective or advisory contexts, often in literature.)
• Вспоминать детство - To recall childhood (Common in nostalgic conversations.)
• Никогда не забывай друзей - Never forget friends (A phrase emphasizing loyalty and memory in relationships.)

Usage Notes:

• Russian verbs like 'помнить' and 'вспоминать' correspond closely to 'remember' but differ in aspect: 'помнить' is more about ongoing memory, while 'вспоминать' implies an action. Choose based on context—use 'помнить' for static remembrance and 'вспоминать' for processes.
• In formal writing, 'вспоминать' is preferred for its nuance, whereas 'помнить' suits casual speech.
• Grammatically, these verbs require the accusative case for objects, e.g., "помнить что-то" (remember something).

Common Errors:

• English learners often confuse 'помнить' with 'вспомнить' (the perfective form of 'вспоминать'). Error: Saying "Я помню вчера" instead of "Я вспомнил вчера" for a completed action. Correct: Use "вспомнить" for one-time events. Explanation: Russian aspect distinguishes ongoing vs. completed actions, unlike English.
• Another mistake is improper conjugation, e.g., using "помнить" in the wrong person. Error: "Ты помню" (incorrect). Correct: "Ты помнишь". Explanation: Always match the verb to the subject for person and number.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, remembering and recalling (e.g., via 'помнить') often ties to historical events like World War II or family traditions. Phrases like "Помни о подвиге" (Remember the feat) are common in memorials, reflecting a collective memory that shapes national identity.

Related Concepts:

• забудь (zabud') - To forget
• память (pamyat') - Memory
• воспоминания (vospominaniya) - Reminiscences