In French, two important verbs express the idea of remembering, but they are used quite differently: se souvenir and rappeler.
> - se souvenir is a reflexive verb meaning "to remember" (the subject recalls something).
> - rappeler means "to remind" or "to recall" and often involves making someone else remember.
Neither is interchangeable with the other in most contexts because they focus on different sides of the remembering process.
se souvenir: to remember (oneself)
se souvenir is reflexive and is used when the subject remembers something for themselves.
> - The subject "remembers" (does not "remind")
> - Requires a reflexive pronoun: je me souviens, tu te souviens, il/elle se souvient, etc.
> - Usually followed by de + noun/pronoun for what is remembered
Conjugation (Présent)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| je | me souviens |
| tu | te souviens |
| il/elle/on | se souvient |
| nous | nous souvenons |
| vous | vous souvenez |
| ils/elles | se souviennent |
Usage
- Je me souviens de toi. (I remember you.)
- Nous nous souvenons de cette chanson. (We remember that song.)
- Te souviens-tu de l’année dernière ? (Do you remember last year?)
'se souvenir' means 'to remember' (for oneself).
Only the reflexive forms 'nous nous souvenons' or 'on se souvient' are correct.
Source Material
Author: Lawless French
Document: se souvenir - French Verb Conjugation and Usage
Date Published: 2024
rappeler: to remind / to recall (someone)
rappeler is a transitive verb meaning "to remind" or "to call back."
> - Often involves making someone else remember.
> - Can also mean "to call back" (telephone).
> - Conjugated like appeler (double l in some forms).
> - Requires a direct object: Je rappelle, Tu rappelles, Il rappelle, etc.
Conjugation (Présent)
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| je | rappelle |
| tu | rappelles |
| il/elle/on | rappelle |
| nous | rappelons |
| vous | rappelez |
| ils/elles | rappellent |
Usage
- Je te rappelle demain. (I'll remind/call you back tomorrow.)
- Le professeur rappelle la règle. (The teacher reminds [everyone] of the rule.)
- Pouvez-vous me rappeler notre rendez-vous ? (Can you remind me of our appointment?)
'rappeler' means to remind or to recall (someone).
Correct: 'Le patron rappelle les employés.', 'Je vous rappellerai demain.', 'Elle rappelle leur rendez-vous.' (with correct subject and object).
Key Differences
| Aspect | se souvenir | rappeler |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | To remember (for oneself) | To remind / to recall (others) |
| Is reflexive? | Yes | No |
| Subject role | Subject remembers itself | Subject makes someone remember |
| Common structure | se souvenir de + [thing] | Rappeler + [person/object] |
| Example (1st person) | Je me souviens de l'été. | Je te rappelle l'été. |
No, 'se souvenir' and 'rappeler' are not interchangeable because they focus on different sides of remembering.
Only 'Je me souviens de ton anniversaire.' (se souvenir) and 'Elle rappelle la réunion aux membres.' (rappeler) are correct.
You use 'de' after 'se souvenir' (e.g., se souvenir de quelque chose).
Conclusion
The verbs se souvenir and rappeler both touch on memory but in distinct ways:
- se souvenir is reflexive and means "to remember" (the subject recalls for themselves).
- rappeler means "to remind" or "to recall" (and often involves prompting someone else to remember).
This is a classic French pair that shows how differently the language treats the act of remembering, depending on who does the remembering – or prompting!