Three diverse children are sitting closely together on a rustic wooden bench, looking down with warm, nostalgic smiles at an old, worn teddy bear they are holding. The scene suggests shared memories.

recuerdan

reh-KWEHR-dahn

VerbA2irregular (stem-changing: o>ue) ar

they remember?referring to a group of people or things (ellos/ellas),you all remember?formal address to a group (ustedes)

Also:they recall?formal synonym for remembering

Quick Reference

infinitiverecordar

gerundrecordando

past Participlerecordado

📝 In Action

Mis padres recuerdan la música de los años 80.

My parents remember the music from the 80s.

Si recuerdan la contraseña, pueden entrar al sistema.

If you all (formal) remember the password, you can enter the system.

Los niños no recuerdan cómo se llama su nueva mascota.

The children don't remember what their new pet is called.

Word Connections

Synonyms

acordarse (to remember (often used with 'de'))
evocar (to evoke)

Antonyms

olvidar (to forget)

Common Collocations

recordar un momento – to remember a moment
recordar con cariño – to remember fondly

💡 Grammar Points

Stem-Change Pattern

The verb 'recordar' is irregular. The 'o' changes to 'ue' in the present tense forms except for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'. This is why we say 'recuerdan' and not 'recordan'.

Who is Remembering?

'Recuerdan' is always used when the action of remembering is done by a group of people ('they') or when you are formally addressing a group ('you all').

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing up 'Recordar' and 'Acordarse'

Mistake: "Using 'Ellos recuerdan de la fiesta.'"

Correction: The verb 'recordar' usually doesn't need 'de'. Say: 'Ellos recuerdan la fiesta.' (If you use 'acordarse', you need 'de': 'Ellos se acuerdan de la fiesta.')

⭐ Usage Tips

The 'To Remind' Meaning

'Recordar' can also mean 'to remind.' For example, 'Ellos le recuerdan el compromiso' means 'They remind him of the commitment.'

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedrecuerda

yorecuerdo

túrecuerdas

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecuerdan

nosotrosrecordamos

vosotrosrecordáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedrecordaba

yorecordaba

túrecordabas

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecordaban

nosotrosrecordábamos

vosotrosrecordabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedrecordó

yorecordé

túrecordaste

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecordaron

nosotrosrecordamos

vosotrosrecordasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedrecuerde

yorecuerde

túrecuerdes

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecuerden

nosotrosrecordemos

vosotrosrecordéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedrecordara

yorecordara

túrecordaras

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecordaran

nosotrosrecordáramos

vosotrosrecordarais

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: recuerdan

Question 1 of 2

If you want to say 'We remember the movie,' which conjugation of 'recordar' should you use?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

recordar(to remember (infinitive)) - verb

recuerdo(memory, souvenir) - noun

recordatorio(reminder) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'recordar' and 'acordarse'?

Both mean 'to remember,' but 'recordar' is used directly with the thing being remembered (e.g., 'Recuerdo la fecha'). 'Acordarse' is a reflexive verb and requires the preposition 'de' (e.g., 'Me acuerdo de la fecha').

Is 'recuerdan' used for past, present, or future actions?

'Recuerdan' is the present tense form. It describes an action happening right now or a fact that is currently true (They currently remember).