记不清

記不清

jìbuqīng

verb #9,682

Meanings

1 can't remember clearly
2 can't recall clearly

Characters

to remember; to record

not (potential complement marker)

Examples

HSK 1

我记不清他的名字了。

Wǒ jìbuqīng tā de míngzì le.

I can't remember his name clearly.

HSK 3

那件事发生太久了，她已经记不清了。

Nà jiàn shì fāshēng tài jiǔ le, tā yǐjīng jìbuqīng le.

It happened so long ago, she can't recall it clearly anymore.

HSK 3

你记不清没关系，慢慢想。

Nǐ jìbuqīng méiguānxi, mànmàn xiǎng.

It's okay if you can't remember, take your time.

Tips

grammar

记不清 follows the potential complement pattern: verb + 不 + result. 记得清 is the positive form meaning "can remember clearly." This 得/不 structure is extremely productive in Chinese.

usage

Compare: 记不住 (can't memorize/retain) vs 记不清 (remember but not clearly). 记不住 means total failure to remember; 记不清 means vague, fuzzy memory.

Stroke Order

记 jì

不 bù

清 qīng