recordar
/reh-kor-DAHR/
to remember
When you recall a fact or event, you recordar (remember).
recordar(Verb)
to remember
?recall a fact or event
to recall
?formal or written communication
📝 In Action
¿Recuerdas cómo se llama ese restaurante?
A2Do you remember what that restaurant is called?
No recuerdo dónde dejé las llaves.
A1I don't remember where I left the keys.
Siempre recordamos nuestras vacaciones en la playa.
B1We always remember our vacation at the beach.
💡 Grammar Points
Stem Change Alert
In the present tense, the 'o' inside the verb changes to 'ue' in all forms except for the 'nosotros' (we) and 'vosotros' (you all, Spain) forms.
Using 'Recordar'
Unlike the common reflexive 'acordarse de,' the verb 'recordar' is usually used directly with the thing being remembered, like saying 'I remember the house' (Recuerdo la casa).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing up the O→UE change
Mistake: "Yo recordo."
Correction: Yo recuerdo. Remember the vowel change happens to make the verb sound stronger in most single-person forms.
Using 'a' incorrectly
Mistake: "Recuerdo a la película. (I remember the movie.)"
Correction: Recuerdo la película. Only use 'a' before a specific person you remember: 'Recuerdo a mi abuela.' (I remember my grandmother.)
⭐ Usage Tips
The Memory Verb
Think of 'recordar' as the verb meaning 'to bring a record back to the mind.' It’s the simplest way to talk about memory.
To cause someone to remember something is also recordar (to remind).
recordar(Verb)
to remind
?cause someone to remember
to look like
?when describing a resemblance
📝 In Action
Ella me recuerda mucho a su madre.
B1She reminds me a lot of her mother (or she looks a lot like her mother).
Mi alarma me recordó la hora de la reunión.
A2My alarm reminded me of the time of the meeting.
El jefe nos recordó que el informe es urgente.
B2The boss reminded us that the report is urgent.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'To Remind' Structure
When 'recordar' means 'to remind someone,' the person being reminded is usually the direct recipient of the action (me, te, nos, etc.), and the thing they are reminded of follows with 'a' or 'que': 'Me recordó a mi niñez' (He reminded me of my childhood).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Transitivity
Mistake: "El café me recuerda de mi casa."
Correction: El café me recuerda a mi casa. Use 'a' after 'recordar' when linking the reminder to a person or thing, or use 'que' when linking it to a full idea ('Me recordó que comprara pan').
⭐ Usage Tips
Physical Resemblance
When someone 'reminds' you of another person because they look similar, 'recordar' is the perfect verb to use, often paired with the personal 'a'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: recordar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'recordar' to mean 'to remember' (you remember a thing)?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'recordar' y 'acordarse'?
Both mean 'to remember.' The main difference is grammatical: 'Recordar' is usually used transitively (it acts directly on the object: 'Recuerdo su cara'). 'Acordarse' is reflexive and requires the small word 'de' before the object: 'Me acuerdo de su cara.' They are often interchangeable in meaning.
How do I use 'recordar' to give a command?
You use the imperative mood forms, which also have the 'o' to 'ue' stem change: '¡Recuerda comprar leche!' (Remember to buy milk!) or, more formally, 'Recuerde pasar por la oficina.' (Remember to stop by the office.)