memoria
/meh-MOH-ree-ah/
memory
Memoria as the general ability to recall things.
📝 In Action
Mi abuela tiene muy buena memoria, recuerda todo de su juventud.
A1My grandmother has a very good memory; she remembers everything from her youth.
Necesitas ejercitar tu memoria para aprender vocabulario nuevo.
A2You need to exercise your memory to learn new vocabulary.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
Even though 'memoria' ends in '-a', it is always feminine (la memoria). Always use feminine articles and adjectives with it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up 'memory' (faculty) and 'a memory' (specific event)
Mistake: "Guardo una buena memoria de mi viaje. (Trying to say 'I have a specific memory')"
Correction: Guardo un buen recuerdo de mi viaje. ('Recuerdo' is often better for a specific event, while 'memoria' is the general capacity.)
Memoria referring to a specific recollection of the past.
📝 In Action
Tengo memorias muy vívidas de mi niñez en el campo.
A2I have very vivid memories of my childhood in the countryside.
Ella honró la memoria de su padre con una ceremonia.
B1She honored the memory of her father with a ceremony.
💡 Grammar Points
Plural Form
When talking about specific events, 'memoria' often becomes plural: 'las memorias' (the memories).
⭐ Usage Tips
Historical Context
When talking about history or collective remembrance, 'memoria' is the correct term (e.g., 'la memoria histórica' - historical memory).
Memoria used to describe computer storage hardware.
📝 In Action
Mi teléfono se está quedando sin memoria para fotos y videos.
B1My phone is running out of memory for photos and videos.
Necesito un disco duro externo con más memoria.
B2I need an external hard drive with more storage/memory.
💡 Grammar Points
Technical Usage
When referring to a computer component, 'memoria' can be used on its own, but often requires a descriptor like 'memoria RAM' or 'tarjeta de memoria' (memory card).
Memoria meaning an academic thesis or paper.
memoria(noun)
thesis
?academic paper
,report
?written summary of work
dissertation
?long academic work
📝 In Action
El estudiante debe presentar una memoria de su proyecto final para graduarse.
B2The student must present a report of their final project in order to graduate.
La memoria anual de la empresa detalla todos los logros del año pasado.
C1The company's annual report details all the achievements of the past year.
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Context
This meaning is typically used in formal settings, like universities or business administration, referring to a specific document detailing research or results.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: memoria
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'memoria' to refer to a formal, written document?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'memoria' countable or uncountable?
It depends on the meaning! When referring to the general ability to remember (Definition 1), it is uncountable, like 'water' or 'time.' When referring to specific recollections (Definition 2) or technical devices (Definition 3), it can be countable and used in the plural (e.g., 'muchas memorias', 'dos memorias USB').
What is the difference between 'memoria' and 'recuerdo'?
'Memoria' usually means the cognitive ability ('Tienes buena memoria' - You have a good memory). 'Recuerdo' almost always refers to a specific, tangible event or item that you remember ('Tengo un recuerdo de ese viaje' - I have a memory/souvenir of that trip).