Which one should you use?
If you want to ask "Can you remember me?", you can use Kannst du dich an mich erinnern? If you want to ask "Do you still know who I am?", you can use the informal phrase Weißt du noch, wer ich bin? Additionally, adding the word "noch" changes the nuance slightly: Erinnerst du dich noch an mich? means "Do you remember me?" and Kannst du dich noch an mich erinnern? means "Can you still remember me?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb erinnern is used here as a reflexive verb, which is why the reflexive pronoun dich (yourself) is included in the phrase. The verb erinnern sich requires the preposition an followed by the accusative case to indicate the object being remembered.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly omit the reflexive pronoun dich and the preposition an, incorrectly saying erinnerst du mich?
Did you know?
- While erinnern means 'to remember', it is closely related to the word inner, meaning 'inside'.
- The English word 'thou' is a direct linguistic relative of the German du. Both words evolved from the same Proto-Indo-European roots to represent the informal 'you'.
- If you use the phrase Erinnerst du dich an mich? in a professional setting, you might sound too blunt. In formal business contexts, you should replace du with Sie to avoid appearing disrespectful.
Examples in context
- Erinnerst du dich noch an mich? Wir haben uns letzten Sommer in Berlin getroffen.Do you still remember me? We met last summer in Berlin.
- Entschuldigung, erinnerst du dich an mich?Excuse me, do you remember me?
Example conversation
Hannah approaches Julian at a busy street cafe.
- HannahHallo Julian, erinnerst du dich an mich?Hello Julian, do you remember me?
- JulianHannah? Ja, natürlich erinnere ich mich an dich!Hannah? Yes, of course I remember you!
- HannahEs ist so lange her.It has been so long.
- JulianDas stimmt, wie geht es dir?That's true, how are you?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries an, dich, du, mich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
