How to say "recollection" in Japanese

• 記憶きおくJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers recollection in the broad sense of memory itself — what is retained or recalled. Use it when talking about memory as capacity or stored information rather than the act of looking back.
  私はその日ひの記憶きおくを呼び覚よびさまそうとした。↗

  I tried to call on my memories of that day.
• 回想かいそうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe neutral word for recollection as an act: recalling or reflecting on past events. Fits narration that looks back over the past, without any special emotional coloring.
  彼女かのじょは子供こども時代じだいを回想かいそうした。↗

  She looked back on her childhood.
• 見覚えみおぼえCommon
  nounOnly for recollection as recognition of something seen before — a familiar face or scene. If your 'recollection' is not about visual familiarity, this is not the word you want.
  彼かれは彼女かのじょに見覚みおぼえがある。↗

  He knows her by sight.
• 追憶ついおくCommon
  suru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveRecollection tinged with nostalgia or wistfulness, dwelling fondly or sadly on the past. Choose it when 'recollection' carries an emotional, reminiscing tone rather than a neutral one.
• 追想ついそうCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA close partner of 追憶: recalling the past, often people or times gone by, with a reminiscent, slightly literary flavor. Both this and 追憶 suit wistful recollection.

Use 記憶 for memory as a faculty or stored content, 回想 for the act of recalling the past, 「見覚え」 only for visual familiarity, and 追憶・追想 for nostalgic, wistful reminiscence.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 記憶きおくmemory
• 回想かいそうrecollection
• 見覚えみおぼえmemory (of having seen something or someone before)
• 追憶ついおくrecollection
• 追想ついそうrecollection
• 想起そうきremembering
• 述懐じゅっかいspeaking about (one's thoughts, memories, etc.)
• 追懐ついかいrecollection
• 呼起こきrecollection
• メモリーmemory