merken

1.

to notice, to realize, to feel

(NEVER for noticing people, but it works for sensual perceptions as well as intuition based stuff)

Examples

• Ich merke, dass du schlechte Laune hast.
• I sense/feel/notice that you are in a bad mood.
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2.

to remember, to memorize

("sich (Dativ) merken " - same idea as before but here, the long term effect of the storing is in focus. Again, not used for the actual moment of recall.)

Examples

• Ich muss mir dringend merken, wie man das macht.
• I absolutely have to remember how to do that.
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• Practice pronunciation - click once to start recording and again to stop

  

3.

to memorize

("sich (Dativ) etwas merken " - place into memory. You can think of it as "mentally mark for yourself". NOT the moment of recall.)

Examples

• Das muss ich mir merken.
• I have to remember that (put it into my memory).

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Word Family

My Articles

The Meaning of “merken”

"merken" can mean "to notice" and "to remember". But not always. Today, we'll find out when and why and we'll talk about the difference to "bemerken".

Vocab:

merken, sich merken, bemerken, merkwürdig, anmerken, das Merkmal

read the full article

“remember” and “remind” in German

"remember" and "remind" both translate with "erinnern", but the structure is a bot different. And there are some other options in spoken German.

Vocab:

erinnern, sich erinnern, sich merken, Gedächtnis, Erinnerung

read the full article

Questions and Comments

Do you have questions about the usage or meaning of “merken”? Just ask here and I’ll try to clear it up.

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4 Comments

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Oldest

Jgramer

Don’t you realize that you’re going on my nerves right now?
Should be “getting on my nerves”

Reply

Bissell

Die KI Götter bei DeepL wollen mich oft ‘auswendig lernen’ benutzen.
Ich muss diese Woche acht Leider auswendig lernen.
nicht
Ich muss mich diese Woche acht Lieder merken.
Gibt es etwas bestimmt darüber (meine Beispiel) dass DeepL nicht merken nutzen?
I can see that the second version might mean I have to remember 8 songs.

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Author

Emanuel

Reply to  Bissell

Die KI Götter bei DeepL wollen mich oft ‘auswendig lernen’ benutzen.

“Die KI Götter bei DeepL wollen, DASS ich oft…” – “want me to do” funktioniert auf Deutsch nicht.

Für Sachen wie Gedichte oder Lieder ist “auswendig lernen” besser. “merken” klingt so, als ob du den Titel meinst.

Reply

Bissell

Reply to  Emanuel

Danke! Du willst, dass ich besser Deutsch spreche. Hat du bemerkt, dass ich besser Deutsch sprechen will. (now the combo!). Ich habe bemerkt, dass meine Frau will, dass ich weniger Tour de France im Fernseher schaue/gucke.

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How many meanings does the German word 'merken' have?

merken has 3 distinct meanings: 1. to notice, to realize, to feel, 2. to remember, to memorize, 3. to memorize.

What is the past tense of 'merken'?

hat gemerkt / merkte

What is 'merken' related to?

The word 'merken' is related to *merg-.

Where can I learn more about 'merken'?

Here are some articles where you can learn more about 'merken':

The Meaning of “merken”
"merken" can mean "to notice" and "to remember". But not always. Today, we'll find out when and why and we'll talk about the difference to "bemerken".
Vocab: merken, sich merken, bemerken, merkwürdig, anmerken, das Merkmal
Read article

“remember” and “remind” in German
"remember" and "remind" both translate with "erinnern", but the structure is a bot different. And there are some other options in spoken German.
Vocab: erinnern, sich erinnern, sich merken, Gedächtnis, Erinnerung
Read article