помнить vs вспоминать

póмnit' vs vspominát' — to remember/keep in mind vs to recall

What it really means

"Помнить" means to remember or have something in your memory — a continuing state. "Вспоминать" means to recall, bring a memory back, or think back to something; it focuses on the process of retrieving a memory.

Use помнить for facts, instructions, and people you have not forgotten: "Я помню его имя." Use вспоминать when a memory is being brought back or discussed: "Я часто вспоминаю детство" (I often think back to my childhood).

Examples in natural speech

Я помню его имя.
I remember his name.
Не забудь и помни об этом.
Do not forget and keep this in mind.
Я часто вспоминаю детство.
I often think back to my childhood.
Она вспомнила пароль.
She remembered/recalled the password.
Ты помнишь, где мы встретились?
Do you remember where we met?

Common mistakes

Do not use вспоминать for every English "remember." "Ты вспоминаешь, где он живёт?" asks whether you are recalling it right now; "Ты помнишь, где он живёт?" asks whether the information remains in your memory. The perfective вспомнить means successfully recall once.

Memory tip

"Помнить" is memory you possess; "вспоминать" is memory you pull back into focus.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between помнить and вспоминать in Russian?

"Помнить" means to remember or retain something in memory. "Вспоминать" means to recall or think back to something, focusing on retrieving the memory.

How do you say do you remember in Russian?

Say "Ты помнишь?" when asking whether someone retains a memory or fact. Use "Ты вспоминаешь?" only when asking whether they are actively trying to recall it.

What is the difference between вспоминать and вспомнить?

"Вспоминать" is imperfective for the process or repeated act of recalling. "Вспомнить" is perfective and means to recall something successfully once.

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