見覚(みおぼ)え

みおぼえ
noun
recognition, remembrance (visual)
cognition
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(かお)には見覚(みおぼ)えがある。
I recognize this face.
I got a call from a number I didn't recognize.
I recognize this place, but I can't remember when I came here.

Usage

見覚(みおぼ)え is almost always paired with がある (to have) or がない (to not have). The pattern 見覚(みおぼ)えのある/ない + noun is also very common as a modifier. Compare with 聞(き)き覚(おぼ)え (recognition of something heard).

Common patterns