recordar
/rekoɾˈdaɾ/
To remember in Spanish is recordar.
The most common and versatile way to say "remember" in Spanish is recordar, which means to bring a piece of information or a past event back into one's mind.
Which one should you use?
While recordar is a direct transitive verb, the reflexive phrase acordarse de is a common synonym that requires the preposition de before the object.
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular present indicative of recordar is recuerdo (I remember). The third-person singular present indicative is recuerda (he/she remembers). Additionally, the noun form recuerdo can mean a memory, a souvenir or a keepsake.
How do you pronounce it?
/rekoɾˈdaɾ/
Did you know?
- The root of recordar traces back to the Latin word 'cor', which means 'heart'.
- The phrase en recuerdo de is frequently used on monuments and tombstones, similar to 'in memory of' in English.
- While recordar is used for facts, the reflexive acordarse de often carries a more personal or emotional nuance in spoken Spanish.
Examples in context
- Es fácil de recordar.It's easy to remember.This sentence shows how to use recordar to say something is easy to remember.Tatoeba #1898739 by marcelostockle, translation #1897877 by Spamster
- Tom no recordará nada.Tom won't remember a thing.This sentence uses recordar to express that someone won't remember anything.Tatoeba #2260435 by marcelostockle, translation #1867701 by CK
- ¿Cómo puedes no recordar?How can you not remember?This sentence uses recordar in a question about why someone cannot remember.Tatoeba #5001024 by DarkHollow, translation #2891271 by CK
- Por favor, recuerde que nuestra reunión es mañana.Please remember that our meeting is tomorrow.
- Recuerdo muy bien aquel verano en España.I remember that summer in Spain very well.
- Debemos tener presente el objetivo de nuestra organización.We must remember the goal of our organization.
- Acuérdate de comprar pan cuando vayas al supermercado.Remember to buy bread when you go to the supermarket.
- Me acuerdo de aquel chiste que nos contaste.I remember that joke you told us.
- No olvides llevar el paraguas, puede llover.Don't forget to bring your umbrella, it might rain.
- No olvides suscribirte a nuestro canal de YouTube.Don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel.
- 146 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a movie they saw.
- María¿Recuerdas el nombre de la película?Do you remember the name of the movie?
- DanielNo, no puedo recordar el nombre ahora.No, I can't remember the name right now.
- MaríaEs una historia muy triste, Daniel.It is a very sad story, Daniel.
- DanielEs verdad, María, la historia es increíble.It's true, María, the story is incredible.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry recordar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries recordar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
