記住 + V
Remember to
記住 + Verb Phrase (gei3 zyu6) means 'remember to' or 'make sure to' do something. It functions as a clear instruction or reminder to keep a future task firmly in mind.
How It Works
1. Sentence Position & Structure
Place 記住 (gei3 zyu6) directly before an action or a noun phrase:
• [Subject] + 記住 + [Verb Phrase / Noun Phrase]
Example (Verb Phrase): 你記住鎖門呀 (nei5 gei3 zyu6 so2 mun4 aa3) - 'Make sure you remember to lock the door.'
Example (Noun Phrase): 記住個密碼 (gei3 zyu6 go3 mat6 maa5) - 'Keep the password firmly in mind.'
2. Tone & Softening Particles
Because 記住 carries an emphatic tone ('bear firmly in mind'), it can sound strict or direct. Speakers frequently add sentence-final particles like 呀 (aa3) or 啦 (laa1) to soften the request and make it sound caring rather than harsh.
3. Key Distinction: 記住 vs. 記得
• 記得 (gei3 dak1) is the neutral, everyday expression for future reminders (e.g., 你記得食藥呀 'Remember to take your medicine') as well as recalling past facts (e.g., 我記得佢個名 'I remember his name').
• 記住 (gei3 zyu6) adds emphatic or firm force ('make sure to' / 'firmly keep in mind'). Note that you cannot use 記住 for simple cognitive recall of past facts.
4. Function of 住 (zyu6)
In this pattern, 住 (zyu6) acts as a result complement of fixity ('hold firm in memory'), not as the continuous aspect marker ('doing [V]').
Examples (4)
- 出街記住鎖門呀。
Remember to lock the door when you go out.
Word by Word: Go out remember lock door [particle].
記住 (gei3 zyu6) is placed right before the verb 鎖 (so2, to lock) to set a clear instruction.
- 有乜嘢新消息，記住搵我。
If there is any new information, remember to contact me.
Word by Word: Have any new news, remember find me.
Used here to direct the listener to carry out a future follow-up action.
- 你一定要記住呢個密碼。
You must keep this password memorized.
Word by Word: You must want remember this classifier password.
記住 can take a direct noun phrase to mean retaining information firmly in memory.
- 聽日開會，你記住唔好遲到呀。
Tomorrow is the meeting, remember not to be late.
Word by Word: Tomorrow open meeting, you remember not good be late [particle].
Combining 記住 with 唔好 (m4 hou2) creates a warning: 'remember NOT to do something'.
Common Mistakes
Using 記住 (gei3 zyu6) to express past cognitive recall or remembering a fact.
我記住佢個名。我記得佢個名。記住 is for active future instructions or retention. To state that you recall a stored fact or person, use 記得 (gei3 dak1).
Using 記住 for a casual reminder.
Different Meaning同事，你記住幫我買杯咖啡啦。同事，你記得幫我買杯咖啡啦。同事，你記住幫我買杯咖啡啦 is natural: 記住 (gei3 zyu6) is the usual 'remember to'. 記得 (gei3 dak1) also works, and it is the word for 'remember' as in recall.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand '記住 + V', learners need to recognize the verb '記' (to remember) combined with the durative particle '住', which indicates maintaining a state. This combination functions as a reminder to perform a subsequent action (the verb).
- 住Durative Aspect
The pattern '記住' uses the durative aspect marker '住' to indicate the state of 'remembering' or 'keeping in mind' for a future action.
Level 2 - V + 啦Urging a Command
Since '記住 + V' is often used as a command or reminder, understanding how Cantonese handles imperatives and suggestions is helpful.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- 唔好Don't (Prohibition)
Frequently paired with 記住 (e.g., 記住唔好...) to issue strong directives NOT to do something.
Level 2 - 呀 (aa3)Neutral Softening Particle
A sentence-final softening particle commonly appended to 記住 instructions to make them sound friendly.
Level 1 - 啦 (laa1)Suggestion and Request Particle
Used at the end of a 記住 sentence to frame the reminder as a persuasive suggestion or directive.
Level 1
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice 記住 + V in Bubblegum
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