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Questions & Answers about i noraega gieoknayo?
Why does the sentence use 기억나요 instead of 기억해요?
In Korean there are two “to remember” verbs.
- 기억하다 is transitive: you actively “remember something” and need an object marker (e.g. 이 노래를 기억해요?).
- 기억나다 (used here as 기억나요) is intransitive: “memory comes up,” so you say “This song comes to mind?” to mean “Do you remember this song?” Native speakers prefer 기억나다 for “remember?” questions.
What nuance does the ending -나요 add compared to the regular -요 form?
The -나요? ending:
- Marks a polite question with a nuance of wonder or checking (similar to “I wonder…?” or “Do you happen to…?”).
- Is softer than -아요/어요?, inviting confirmation rather than a straightforward yes/no.
Compare:
• 기억해요? (“Do you remember?” neutral)
• 기억해요? vs 기억하나요? (“I’m wondering if you remember.”)
What role does the particle 가 play in 이 노래가 기억나요? Why not use 은/는?
가 is the subject marker: it highlights 이 노래 as the thing doing the action of “coming to mind.”
- 이 노래가 기억나요? = “Is it this song that you remember?” (subject emphasis)
- 은/는 would set 이 노래 as the topic and might shift focus: 이 노래는 기억나요? sounds more like “As for this song, do you remember it (as opposed to others)?”
Can I drop 이 and just say 노래가 기억나요? What would change?
Yes, you can omit 이, but then it’s just “a song” or “that song” in context.
- 이 노래가 기억나요? = “Do you remember this specific song?”
- 노래가 기억나요? = “Do you remember the song?” (less specific; relies on context)
Why do I sometimes see 기억이 나요? instead of 기억나요? Are they different?
They’re the same verb 기억나다 split into noun + verb:
- 기억이 나요? = “Does the memory come out?”
- 기억나요? is simply contracted.
Both forms are correct, and you'll hear both in speech.
How would you answer 이 노래가 기억나요? affirmatively or negatively?
Affirmative:
네, 기억나요. / 네, 잘 기억해요. (“Yes, I remember it well.”)
Negative:
아니요, 기억 안 나요. / 아니요, 잘 기억이 안 나요. (“No, I don’t really remember it.”)
What is the politeness level of 이 노래가 기억나요?? How can I say it informally or more formally?
The -요 ending makes it polite (존댓말).
Informal (반말):
이 노래 기억나?
More formal (높임말):
이 노래가 기억나세요? or even 이 노래를 기억하십니까?
Could I rephrase this question using 기억하다 with 를? What would that look like?
Yes. Using the transitive 기억하다:
이 노래를 기억하세요?
This is polite and direct: “Do you remember this song?” It’s perfectly natural, though 기억나다 is more idiomatic for “come to mind.”
Is there any difference in nuance between 이 노래가 기억나요? and 이 노래를 기억하세요??
Subtle differences:
- 이 노래가 기억나요? (intransitive) emphasizes whether the song “comes to mind.” It feels more like “Did that memory pop up?”
- 이 노래를 기억하세요? (transitive) focuses on the act of remembering itself. It’s slightly more formal and direct. Both are correct; choose based on tone and context.