How to Say "memory" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “memory” is “memoria” — use 'memoria' when referring to the general ability to remember, a specific past event or recollection, or computer storage space..
memoria
meh-MOH-ree-ah/meˈmo.ɾja/
Examples
Mi abuela tiene muy buena memoria, recuerda todo de su juventud.
My grandmother has a very good memory; she remembers everything from her youth.
Necesitas ejercitar tu memoria para aprender vocabulario nuevo.
You need to exercise your memory to learn new vocabulary.
Tengo memorias muy vívidas de mi niñez en el campo.
I have very vivid memories of my childhood in the countryside.
Ella honró la memoria de su padre con una ceremonia.
She honored the memory of her father with a ceremony.
Always Feminine
Even though 'memoria' ends in '-a', it is always feminine (la memoria). Always use feminine articles and adjectives with it.
Plural Form
When talking about specific events, 'memoria' often becomes plural: 'las memorias' (the memories).
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).
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
meh-MOH-ree-ah/meˈmo.ɾja/
Examples
Mi teléfono se está quedando sin memoria para fotos y videos.
My phone is running out of memory for photos and videos.
Mi abuela tiene muy buena memoria, recuerda todo de su juventud.
My grandmother has a very good memory; she remembers everything from her youth.
Necesitas ejercitar tu memoria para aprender vocabulario nuevo.
You need to exercise your memory to learn new vocabulary.
Tengo memorias muy vívidas de mi niñez en el campo.
I have very vivid memories of my childhood in the countryside.
Always Feminine
Even though 'memoria' ends in '-a', it is always feminine (la memoria). Always use feminine articles and adjectives with it.
Plural Form
When talking about specific events, 'memoria' often becomes plural: 'las memorias' (the memories).
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).
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
meh-MOH-ree-ah/meˈmo.ɾja/
Examples
Tengo memorias muy vívidas de mi niñez en el campo.
I have very vivid memories of my childhood in the countryside.
Mi abuela tiene muy buena memoria, recuerda todo de su juventud.
My grandmother has a very good memory; she remembers everything from her youth.
Necesitas ejercitar tu memoria para aprender vocabulario nuevo.
You need to exercise your memory to learn new vocabulary.
Ella honró la memoria de su padre con una ceremonia.
She honored the memory of her father with a ceremony.
Always Feminine
Even though 'memoria' ends in '-a', it is always feminine (la memoria). Always use feminine articles and adjectives with it.
Plural Form
When talking about specific events, 'memoria' often becomes plural: 'las memorias' (the memories).
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).
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.)
mente
/men-tay//ˈmen.te/
Examples
Tengo muchas cosas en la mente ahora mismo.
I have a lot of things on my mind right now.
Es importante mantener una mente abierta y flexible.
It's important to keep an open and flexible mind.
Su nombre no me viene a la mente en este momento.
His name doesn't come to mind at this moment.
Always Feminine: 'la mente'
'Mente' is a feminine noun, so it always uses 'la' or 'una'. For example, you would say 'una mente brillante' (a brilliant mind), not 'un mente brillante'.
Confusing 'Mente' (Mind) and 'Cerebro' (Brain)
Mistake: “Me duele la mente.”
Correction: Say 'Me duele la cabeza' (My head hurts). 'Mente' is the abstract concept of your thoughts and intellect, while 'cerebro' is the physical organ. You can't feel pain in your 'mente'.
Memoria vs. Mente
Related Translations
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