Je me souviens
Je me souviens is the French way to say 'I remember'.
Je me souviens is a common way to express that you remember something or someone. If you want to express a specific memory or a past event using a clause, you can add que after the phrase (e.g., Je me souviens que… to mean 'I remember that…'). In cases where a memory is suddenly returning to you, you might use the alternative phrase Ça me revient, which means 'It comes back to me'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a pronominal construction that literally translates to 'I remember myself'.
Which one should you use?
While Je me souviens is a common way to express memory, it is a synonym of se rappeler. The main difference is that se souvenir must be followed by the preposition de before an object, whereas se rappeler is typically used with a direct object without de (for example, Je me rappelle cela).
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb is pronominal and requires the preposition de whenever an object follows it.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Because of the English structure, speakers often mistakenly omit the de before the object. Avoid saying Je me souviens ça. Instead, use the correct form Je me souviens de ça.
Did you know?
- Je me souviens is the official motto of Quebec, Canada. It is displayed on the province's coat of arms and is intended to remind citizens of their history and French roots.
- While se souvenir is a pronominal verb, the root word souvenir as a noun means 'a memento' or 'a memory'. In English, the word 'souvenir' is borrowed directly from this French noun.
- In some historical Northern French dialects, the 'me' in this construction would have appeared as 'mi', a form derived from the Latin dative 'mihi'.
Examples in context
- Je me souviens de ça.I remember that.This sentence shows how to use the phrase with a demonstrative pronoun.Tatoeba #2527447 by sacredceltic, translation #2247384 by CK
- Je me souviens d'eux.I remember them.This sentence shows how to use the phrase with a pronoun for people.Tatoeba #2527450 by sacredceltic, translation #2247385 by CK
- Je me souviens de toi.I remember you.This sentence shows how to use the phrase with the pronoun for 'you'.Tatoeba #2527456 by sacredceltic, translation #2247386 by CK
- Je me souviens de notre première rencontre.I remember our first meeting.
- Je me souviens de cette époque merveilleuse.I remember that wonderful time.
- Je me rappelle la leçon que tu m'avais donnée.I remember the lesson you gave me.
- Je m'souviens de cette soirée, c'était trop bien!I remember that party, it was so good!
- Je me souviens que j'avais toujours peur du noir quand j'étais petit.I remember that I was always scared of the dark when I was little.
- Je me souviens qu'on s'était bien amusés lors de nos dernières vacances.I remember that we had a great time during our last vacation.
- 141 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Nathan are talking about an old song.
- ManonEst-ce que tu connais cette chanson ?Do you know this song?
- NathanOui, je me souviens de la mélodie.Yes, I remember the melody.
- ManonC'est super, Nathan !That's great, Nathan!
- NathanElle est très belle.It is very beautiful.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, me, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
