There are 6 verbs in Czech that look and sound very similar and are often confused. These verbs are:
Zapamatovat (si) - to memorize (perfective)
Pamatovat (si) - to remember (imperfective)
Vzpomenout (si) - to recall, to remember (perfective)
Vzpomínat (si) - to recall (imperfective)
Zapomenout (si) - to forget (perfective)
Zapomínat (si) - to keep forgetting (imperfective)
Let's look at the uses and grammar of each.
Zapamatovat si + accusative (perfective)
To commit something to memory, to learn something new. E.g. Zapamatuju si první verš Nerudovy básně. I'll memorize the first verse of Neruda's poem.
a) Zapamatovat si, že / kdy / proč / jak / ...
b) Zapamatovat si + accusative
Pamatovat si (na) + accusative (imperfective)
To keep an information in memory. E.g. Pamatuju si, jak se to opraví. I remember how to fix this.
a) Pamatovat si, že / kdy / proč / jak / ...
b) Pamatovat si (na) + accusative
Vzpomenout si na + accusative (perfective)
To bring back an information from our memory. E.g. Vzpomněl jsem si na tebe. I remembered about you.
a) Vzpomenout si, že / kdy / proč / jak / ...
b) Vzpomenout si na + accusative
Vzpomínat si na + accusative (imperfective)
The process of thinking on something from the past. E.g Vzpomínám si na své dětství. I recall my childhood.
a) Vzpomínat si, že / kdy / proč / jak / ...
b) Vzpomínat si na + accusative
Zapomenout (si)/(na) + accusative (perfective)
To forget. E.g. Zapomněl si klíče doma. He forgot his keys at home.
a) Zapomenout, že / kdy / proč / jak / ...
b) Zapomenout (si)/(na) + accusative
Zapomínat (si)/(na) + accusative (imperfective)
To keep forgetting. Zapomínám, že ti mám poslat ten recept. I keep forgetting to send you the recipe.
a) Zapomínat, že / kdy / proč / jak / ...
b) Zapomínat (si)/(na) + accusative
To get more practical examples and some tips on how and when to use these verbs, watch my YouTube post.
Happy learning!
Eliška :)
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