Which one should you use?
While ricordare is the standard translation, the reflexive form ricordarsi is often used in many contexts, especially when an Italian speaker is talking about remembering a specific event or a particular detail. If you wish to express the concept of a 'reminiscence' as a noun, the word rimembranza is much more literary and formal than the common word ricordo.
How does it change in a sentence?
ricordare is a regular -are verb in the present tense. As noted above, you will frequently encounter the reflexive version, ricordarsi, used when remembering specific details or events.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the third syllable: /ri.korˈda.re/.
When do people say it?
An informal way to express the idea of reminiscing or 'remembering the good old times' is the phrase Ricordarsi dei Bei Vecchi Tempi.
Did you know?
- The Latin root of ricordare contains the word cor, meaning 'heart'. To reminisce or remember in the ancient sense was literally to bring something back to the heart.
- Because ricordare can mean 'to remind', an Italian might say ricordami di… to ask you to remind them of something, which sounds like 'remember me of…' to an English speaker.
- In Italian, the word ricordo serves as both the noun for 'a memory' and the first person present tense of ricordare. Depending on the context, ricordo can mean 'I remember' or 'a souvenir'.
Examples in context
- Mi piace parlare del passato con te.I enjoy reminiscing with you.
- Mi piace ripercorrere i vecchi tempi insieme.I enjoy reminiscing about old times together.
- Ricordo ancora quando eravamo giovani e passavamo ore a raccontare storie.I still remember when we were young and spent hours telling stories.
- Mi piace ricordare i vecchi tempi.I like to reminisce about the old times.
- Mi piace ricordare i tempi del liceo.I like to reminisce about my high school days.
- Possiamo ricordare insieme le nostre vacanze passate.We can reminisce together about our past holidays.
- Lei ama ricordare i momenti più belli della sua infanzia.She loves to reminisce about the most beautiful moments of her childhood.
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are looking through an old photo album.
- MatteoGuarda questa foto di dieci anni fa!Look at this photo from ten years ago!
- ChiaraChe bello ricordare quel giorno a Roma.How lovely to reminisce about that day in Rome.
- MatteoEravamo così giovani e felici.We were so young and happy.
- ChiaraSì, è bellissimo ricordare queste cose insieme.Yes, it is wonderful to reminisce about these things together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ricordare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ricordare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
