Today, as part of my daily routine to memorize Japanese vocabulary words through Anki, I came across this word:
覚える
I thought to myself, “Man, I’ve never see this word before. What the hell is it?”.
Then, I clicked on the answer button, and the word was oboeru, which means to memorize, recall, or recollect. Ironic, isn’t it? 
Clearly, I still have a long ways to go.
Namu Amida Butsu
P.S. After writing this post, I doubt I will forget this word ever again. Applying new words is the best way to remember them, of course.
I have been down this road so many times I can’t say anything much except don’t get down on yourself. I teach my daughter Kanji and at times she teaches me.
Just something the textbooks won’t have but kaku 覚 means enlightenment in Chinese Sutras. I am sure you have said sei fu sho gaku 誓不正覚 many, many times. it occurs three times in Juseige and means “may I not attain true enlightment” (the usual end of a Bodhisattva vow). As a name 覚 is read as Satoru which means enlightment, I didn’t know that till last month when I found out by mistake.
The one thing I learn from learning, is there is so much more I haven’t learnt, which for me is a good incentive to learn more.
Cheering for you from far away
Stephen