Se souvenir de and se rappeler are the most common ways to say “to remember” in French. But there are several other options.

As you learn French, you'll often need to express the idea of remembering something, whether it's a new word, a past event, or a future task.

Let’s look at 9 common and useful ways to say “to remember” in French, so you can choose the perfect phrase for any situation!

The standard way to remember (reflexive) – se souvenir de

The standard way to remember (reflexive) – se souvenir de

Se souvenir de is the most common and standard way to say “to remember” in French, widely used in everyday conversation.

As a reflexive verb, se souvenir de always requires a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous) that agrees with the subject. This means the action 'reflects back' on the subject.

A crucial aspect is that se souvenir is always followed by the preposition de when referring to what is being remembered. This de can contract with articles, becoming du, de la, des, or d'. For example, se souvenir de quelque chose (to remember something).

Here's how se souvenir de is conjugated in the present tense, demonstrating the reflexive pronouns: - Je me souviens de - Tu te souviens de - Il/Elle/On se souvient de - Nous nous souvenons de - Vous vous souvenez de - Ils/Elles se souviennent de

When remembering a noun or a pronoun, de precedes it directly. For instance, Je me souviens de ce jour (I remember that day) or Nous nous souvenons d'elle (We remember her). This is its most common application.

If you want to express remembering doing something, de is followed by an infinitive verb. For example, Elle se souvient d'être venue ici (She remembers coming here), emphasizing a past action.

Many learners confuse se souvenir de with se rappeler. While both mean 'to remember', se rappeler is not followed by de and takes a direct object (e.g., Je me rappelle ce jour vs. Je me souviens de ce jour). Se souvenir de is more common in spoken French.

A very common phrase is Si je me souviens bien... (If I remember correctly...). This highlights its use in recalling facts, events, or details, often with a slight hesitation.

To master se souvenir de, consistently practice its conjugation with the correct reflexive pronouns and, most importantly, always include the obligatory de before what is remembered. Think of it as 'to remember of something'.

💡 *Je me souviens de notre première rencontre. (I remember our first meeting.)
*Te souviens-tu de son nom? (Do you remember his/her name?)
*Elle ne se souvient pas de ce qu'elle a dit. (She doesn't remember what she said.)
*Nous nous souvenons d'avoir vu ce film. (We remember having seen this movie.)
*Vous souvenez-vous de la date? (Do you remember the date?)

Another common way to remember (transitive) – se rappeler

While se souvenir de is widely used, another very common way to say 'to remember' in French is with the verb se rappeler. Like se souvenir, it is a reflexive verb, meaning it uses reflexive pronouns (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) before the conjugated verb.

The crucial difference with se rappeler is that it is a transitive reflexive verb. This means it directly takes an object, without needing a preposition like de. You remember something directly.

Conjugating se rappeler is straightforward. It follows the pattern of regular -ER verbs, but always includes its reflexive pronoun. For example, je me rappelle, tu te rappelles, il/elle/on se rappelle, nous nous rappelons, vous vous rappelez, ils/elles se rappellent.

When you se rappeler something, that 'something' is a direct object. You'll often see it used with nouns or direct object pronouns. For instance, 'I remember this song' becomes Je me rappelle cette chanson (not de cette chanson).

To remember a fact or a whole clause, se rappeler uses the conjunction que (that). For example, 'I remember that she was there' would be Je me rappelle qu'elle était là.

The main point of confusion often lies in its relationship with se souvenir de. Remember: Se rappeler takes a direct object (or que), while se souvenir de takes the preposition de before its object. Think of se rappeler as 'to recall' and se souvenir de as 'to be reminded of'.

A simple way to keep them straight: if you can replace 'remember' with 'recall' in English and it sounds natural, se rappeler is likely the verb to use. If you need 'remember of', then se souvenir de is your choice (though 'remember of' isn't grammatically correct in English, it helps to conceptualize the de).

💡 * Je me rappelle ton nom. (I remember your name.)

• Tu te rappelles ce film ? (Do you remember that movie?)
• Elle se rappelle que la réunion est à 10h. (She remembers that the meeting is at 10 AM.)
• Nous nous rappelons notre premier voyage ensemble. (We remember our first trip together.)
• Ils se rappellent toujours les bons moments. (They always remember the good times.)

To keep something in mind or memory – garder en mémoire

When you want to express the idea of 'to keep something in mind' or 'to remember something' in French, the phrase garder en mémoire is a perfect fit. It's essential for conveying the act of retaining information or advice.

This phrase literally translates to 'to keep in memory.' It is composed of the verb garder (to keep), the preposition en (in), and the noun mémoire (memory). Understanding these parts helps grasp its meaning fully.

You'll often use garder en mémoire when referring to the act of consciously retaining facts, important information, or specific details. It implies a deliberate effort to store something in your mind for future recall.

Beyond simple recall, garder en mémoire is also excellent for conveying that you will 'keep something in mind,' such as valuable advice, a crucial warning, or a significant suggestion. This usage emphasizes ongoing consideration and adherence.

The structure for using this phrase is straightforward: garder + [direct object] + en mémoire. The direct object is the specific 'something' you are committing to memory or keeping in mind.

While other verbs like se souvenir de (to remember) exist, garder en mémoire often carries a slightly more formal and deliberate tone. It emphasizes the active process of retaining or preserving information, making it suitable for important matters.

💡 * Je dois garder ces dates en mémoire. (I must keep these dates in mind.)

• Elle a gardé toutes nos discussions en mémoire. (She kept all our discussions in memory.)
• Gardez bien ses conseils en mémoire pour l'avenir. (Keep his advice well in mind for the future.)
• C'est une leçon que nous devons tous garder en mémoire. (That's a lesson we all must keep in mind.)
• J'ai gardé en mémoire ce qu'il m'a dit. (I kept what he told me in mind.)

To retain information or commit to memory – retenir

The verb retenir primarily means "to retain information" or "to commit to memory" in French. It describes the act of keeping knowledge or facts in your mind.

Beyond memorization, retenir can also mean "to hold back" (e.g., tears, a person) or "to keep" (e.g., a reservation, an item). This versatility makes it a crucial verb to master in various contexts.

Retenir is a transitive verb that belongs to the irregular –ir verb group, following the conjugation pattern of tenir (to hold). Mastering its conjugations and understanding its diverse uses is key to fluency.

💡 * Je retiens cette leçon. (I'm retaining this lesson. / I'm remembering this lesson.)

• Il a retenu toutes les dates importantes. (He remembered all the important dates.)
• Elle a du mal à retenir les noms. (She has trouble remembering names.)
• J'ai retenu une table pour deux. (I reserved a table for two.)
• Pourquoi as-tu retenu tes larmes ? (Why did you hold back your tears?)

To have something in one's mind – avoir à l'esprit

To express the idea of having something in one's mind, French speakers often use the versatile phrase avoir à l'esprit.

Literally translating to “to have to the mind,” avoir à l'esprit means “to bear in mind,” “to keep in mind,” or “to have in mind” an idea, a thought, or a consideration.

This phrase is generally considered formal or standard French. It's appropriate in both written and spoken contexts, especially when discussing important points or considerations.

You use avoir à l'esprit when you want to convey that a particular idea, concept, or piece of information is currently occupying your thoughts or is a point of focus. It emphasizes intellectual awareness.

It can also be used to mean “to remember” or “to consider” something important, suggesting a conscious effort to keep it present in one's thoughts. For example, “I have your advice in mind.”

The structure is straightforward: avoir (conjugated) + [noun/pronoun] + à l'esprit. The object of what is “in mind” comes before à l'esprit.

💡 * J'ai ton conseil à l'esprit. (I have your advice in mind.)

• Il faut toujours avoir la sécurité à l'esprit. (One must always keep safety in mind.)
• Qu'est-ce que tu as à l'esprit pour ce projet ? (What do you have in mind for this project?)
• Nous devons avoir les conséquences à l'esprit avant d'agir. (We must keep the consequences in mind before acting.)
• J'avais cette idée à l'esprit depuis longtemps. (I had this idea in mind for a long time.)

The negative way to say "to remember" – ne pas oublier

While se souvenir de is the primary verb for “to remember” in French, its negative form, ne pas oublier, serves as a very common and direct way to express the idea of “to remember” when emphasizing the avoidance of forgetting. Literally meaning “not to forget,” it functions identically to “to remember” in many English contexts.

The phrase ne pas oublier follows the standard French negation pattern, with ne placed before the conjugated verb (or auxiliary verb) and pas after it. For instance, Je n'oublie pas means “I don't forget” or effectively “I remember.” This structure is straightforward and widely used.

Often, ne pas oublier is used when giving instructions or making a promise to ensure something is kept in mind. It carries a strong connotation of making sure to remember, or not letting something slip. For example, N'oubliez pas de fermer la porte (Don't forget to close the door) is a common way to say “Remember to close the door.”

While ne pas se souvenir de also means “not to remember,” it often implies a failure of memory or an inability to recall. Ne pas oublier, on the other hand, typically implies a conscious effort to retain information or carry out an action. It's about active remembrance rather than a passive lack of recall.

💡 * N'oubliez pas d'acheter du pain ! (Remember to buy bread!)

• Je n'oublie jamais ton anniversaire. (I never forget your birthday. / I always remember your birthday.)
• Il ne faut pas oublier les règles. (One must not forget the rules. / One must remember the rules.)
• Elle n'a pas oublié notre rendez-vous. (She didn't forget our appointment. / She remembered our appointment.)
• N'oubliez pas que je suis là pour vous. (Remember that I am here for you.)

To recall or recollect (more formal) – se remémorer

To recall or recollect (more formal) – se remémorer

The verb se remémorer means 'to recall' or 'to recollect.' It's a more formal and literary alternative to verbs like se souvenir de (to remember) or se rappeler (to recall/remember). It emphasizes the act of bringing memories back to mind, often with a sense of deliberation.

Se remémorer is a reflexive verb, meaning it requires a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) that agrees with the subject. It typically takes a direct object, meaning you 'recollect something' directly, rather than using a preposition like 'de'.

💡 * Elle aime se remémorer les bons moments de son enfance. (She likes to recall the good moments of her childhood.)

• Avant de prendre sa décision, il se remémora tous les faits. (Before making his decision, he recollected all the facts.)
• Nous nous sommes remémoré notre premier voyage ensemble. (We recalled our first trip together.)
• Le vieil homme se remémore avec émotion les jours de sa jeunesse. (The old man emotionally recollects the days of his youth.)

To preserve the memory of – conserver le souvenir de

To preserve the memory of – conserver le souvenir de

The phrase conserver le souvenir de literally translates to 'to conserve the memory of' and is used to express the act of keeping someone or something in one's memory, often with a sense of reverence or importance.

This expression carries a somewhat formal and often emotional weight, implying a conscious effort to remember and honor. It's frequently used when discussing historical events, beloved people, or significant experiences.

The structure is straightforward: conserver (to preserve/conserve) + le souvenir (the memory) + de (of) + the noun or pronoun representing what is being remembered. Souvenir is a masculine noun.

💡 * Nous devons conserver le souvenir de nos ancêtres. (We must preserve the memory of our ancestors.)

• Il est important de conserver le souvenir de cet événement tragique. (It is important to preserve the memory of this tragic event.)
• Elle s'efforce de conserver le souvenir de son enfance heureuse. (She strives to preserve the memory of her happy childhood.)
• Les monuments aident à conserver le souvenir des héros. (Monuments help to preserve the memory of heroes.)

To make an effort to remember – faire un effort de mémoire

To express the idea of "to make an effort to remember" in French, the most common and direct phrase is faire un effort de mémoire. This construction literally translates to "to make an effort of memory."

Let's break down this useful phrase: faire means "to make" or "to do," un effort means "an effort," and de mémoire translates to "of memory." Understanding each part helps in grasping the full meaning and appropriate usage.

You use faire un effort de mémoire when someone needs to actively concentrate or strain their mind to recall something that isn't immediately accessible. It implies a deliberate mental exertion, contrasting with simply se souvenir de (to remember) which suggests a more effortless recall.

Since faire is an irregular verb, it's crucial to conjugate it correctly according to the subject and tense. For example, je fais (I make), tu fais (you make), il fait (he makes), nous faisons (we make), vous faites (you make), ils font (they make). The rest of the phrase remains constant.

Opt for faire un effort de mémoire when you want to emphasize the act of trying to remember, especially when the information is difficult to retrieve or requires deep thought. It's perfect for situations where a mental "push" is needed to bring something back to mind.

💡 * Il doit faire un effort de mémoire pour se rappeler son nom. (He has to make an effort to remember her name.)

• J'ai fait un effort de mémoire, mais je ne me souviens toujours pas de son visage. (I made an effort to remember, but I still don't recall his face.)
• Pour ce quiz, vous devrez faire un grand effort de mémoire. (For this quiz, you will need to make a great effort to remember.)
• Faites un effort de mémoire, où avez-vous garé la voiture hier soir ? (Make an effort to remember, where did you park the car last night?)
• Nous avons tous dû faire un effort de mémoire collective pour reconstituer l'événement. (We all had to make a collective effort to remember to piece together the event.)

Are there other ways to say 'to remember' in French?

Are there other ways to say 'to remember' in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say 'to remember' in French. However, like any rich language, French offers a spectrum of expressions, from nuanced verbs to idiomatic phrases, that convey different shades of memory or recollection.

You can also do an online search for “comment dire se souvenir en ___” followed by a specific Francophone country or region to find local expressions.

You might discover some interesting synonyms or idiomatic expressions related to memory on your journey. Of course, always make sure to check a word or phrase’s definition and try to see it used in context before you incorporate it into your vocabulary.

Pay attention as you read, watch, and listen to things in French — you may discover different ways to talk about remembering or recalling things.

And if you’re looking for more ways to talk about memory, or different verbs for remembering in French, the WordReference entries for se souvenir and se rappeler are excellent places to start!

I hope you found this article helpful in navigating the nuances of 'to remember' in French. To conclude, here’s a beautiful thought from Victor Hugo: "La mémoire est la sentinelle de l'esprit." (Memory is the sentinel of the mind.)