1.
recognition, visual memory, remembrance of having seen
The feeling or memory of having seen something or someone before. Almost always used with ある or ない to express whether one recognizes something.
この顔には見覚えがある。
I recognize this face.
見覚えのない番号から電話がかかってきた。
I got a call from a number I didn't recognize.
この場所は見覚えがあるけど、いつ来たか思い出せない。
I recognize this place, but I can't remember when I came here.
USAGE:
見覚え is almost always paired with がある (to have) or がない (to not have). The pattern 見覚えのある／ない + noun is also very common as a modifier. Compare with 聞き覚え (recognition of something heard).
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 見覚えがある: to recognize (having seen before)
- 見覚えがない: to not recognize
- 見覚えのある顔: a face one recognizes
- 見覚えのない人: a person one doesn't recognize