recuerdo
/reˈkweɾdo/masculine
In Spanish, 'souvenir' is translated as recuerdo. If unsure, use recuerdo. Wiktionary also lists tornaviaje and souvenir.
Meaning: item of sentimental value (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| recuerdo | /reˈkweɾdo/ | masculine |
| tornaviaje | /ˌtoɾnaˈbjaxe/ | masculine |
| souvenir | /subeˈniɾ/ | masculine |
| suvenir | /subeˈniɾ/ | masculine |
The term refers to an item of sentimental value. recuerdo is the most common and natural way to refer to a souvenir in everyday Spanish.
What does it mean word for word?
The word recuerdo literally means 'memory' or 'remembrance'.
Which one should you use?
While 'souvenir' refers specifically to a physical object, recuerdo can mean both the physical object and the mental memory itself. The form tornaviaje is another masculine option, and souvenir or suvenir can also be used.
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms are masculine nouns. Recuerdo, tornaviaje, souvenir and suvenir are all masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/reˈkweɾdo/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to use the word 'souvenir' in Spanish, but recuerdo is much more frequent and sounds more natural in most contexts.
Did you know?
- The word recuerdo shares its deepest linguistic root with the English word 'heart' through the Latin cor.
- If you use the term tornaviaje, you are literally describing a 'return trip' or 'way back' rather than a physical object.
- In some contexts, using souvenir instead of recuerdo can signal that the item is a commercial tourist product rather than a personal keepsake.
Examples in context
- Este es un recuerdo de Hokkaido.This is a souvenir from Hokkaido.This sentence shows how to use recuerdo to identify a souvenir from a specific location.Tatoeba #1731734 by marcelostockle, translation #55401 by CN
- Esto es un souvenir de Australia.This is a souvenir from Australia.Tatoeba #10298494 by Seael, translation #10298464 by CK
- Me guardaré el menú como un recuerdo.I'll keep the menu as a souvenir.This sentence shows how to use recuerdo when describing keeping an item for sentimental reasons.Tatoeba #5235191 by albrusgher, translation #2895943 by verdulo
- Compré un hermoso recuerdo de mi visita a España.I bought a beautiful souvenir from my visit to Spain.
- Le traje un obsequio de Argentina.I brought him/her a souvenir from Argentina.
- Mi abuela me dio un lindo recuerdito de su viaje.My grandmother gave me a nice little souvenir from her trip.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Mateo are looking at photos from a trip.
- ElenaMira este lindo recuerdo de París.Look at this cute souvenir from Paris.
- MateoEs muy bonito, Elena.It is very pretty, Elena.
- Elena¿Tienes algún recuerdo de ese viaje?Do you have any souvenir from that trip?
- MateoSí, Mateo tiene un imán en la nevera.Yes, Mateo has a magnet on the fridge.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “souvenir” translations and entries recuerdo, tornaviaje, souvenir, suvenir, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries recuerdo, souvenir, suvenir, tornaviaje, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
