How to Say "Remind" in Japanese

思い出させる

omoidasaseru

The Japanese verb for "remind" is 思い出させる (omoidasaseru).

思い出させる is used when a person or thing causes someone to experience a memory or brings something to a person's notice.

Meaning: cause one to experience a memory, bring to a person's notice (verb)

What does it mean word for word?

Therefore, it literally means "to make (someone) remember".

Use 思い出させる instead when an external object or person is the cause of the memory.

To express that something reminds you of something else, use the structure [A] が [B] を思い出させる, meaning "A reminds [me] of B".

omoidasaseru

While 思い出させる is used for memories, reminding someone of a task or appointment usually uses the verb 知らせる or the phrase 念押しする to emphasize confirmation.
If you want to say something 'reminds' you of a person's appearance, you might use 似ている (to resemble) instead of a word for memory, focusing on visual similarity rather than mental recall.
The root of the word, 思い出す, literally combines 'thought' and 'to bring out', creating the image of 'bringing a thought out' from within oneself.

この写真は、子供時代を思い出させる。
Kono shashin wa, kodomo jidai o omoidasaseru.
This photo reminds me of my childhood.
彼の言葉は、昔の失敗を思い出させる。
Kare no kotoba wa, mukashi no shippai o omoidasaseru.
His words remind me of past failures.
この曲は、夏休みを思い出させる。
Kono kyoku wa, natsuyasumi o omoidasaseru.
This song reminds me of summer vacation.

Kenta and Yui are talking about a movie they just watched.

健太 Kenta

この映画、何か懐かしい気持ちに思い出させるね。
Kono eiga, nanika natsukashii kimochi ni omoidasaseru ne.
This movie reminds me of a nostalgic feeling, doesn't it?
結衣 Yui

本当だね。私も同じことを考えていたよ。
Hontou da ne. Watashi mo onaji koto o kangaete ita yo.
You're right. I was thinking the same thing.
健太 Kenta

結衣に似ている俳優がいた気がする。
Yui ni nite iru haiyuu ga ita ki ga suru.
I feel like there was an actor who looks like you, Yui.
結衣 Yui

えっ、誰のことか思い出させてくれる？
E, dare no koto ka omoidasasete kureru?
Eh, can you remind me who it was?

Sources

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