思い出

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 思い出 is a noun read おもいで, meaning a memory or recollection connected with a past experience or person.
• Basic usage: Use 思い出がよみがえる when a memory comes back because of a trigger such as a photograph, and との思い出 for memories shared with someone.
  • この写真を見ると旅の思い出がよみがえる。 says that the photograph brings back memories of the trip; 祖父との思い出を短い文章にまとめた。 describes putting memories of a grandfather into a short piece of writing.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 思い出がよみがえる
  • が marks memories as what returns, while viewing the photograph in 見ると supplies the trigger.
• 祖父との思い出
  • との links the grandfather as the person with whom the memories were shared; it is not limited to memories owned by him.
• 思い出 and 記憶
  • 記憶 broadly covers retained information or the faculty of memory, while 思い出 focuses on a recollection tied to a personal past experience.