Amintesc

Amintesc is a Romanian verb that means to remind, i.e., to cause someone to recall something. It is the present tense form of a‑aminti, and it is used in transitive constructions with a direct object or with phrases such as de + noun. The same form amintesc also serves as the 3rd person plural present, meaning “they remind,” which can create ambiguity without a subject in isolation.

The related verb a-și aminti means to remember or to recall oneself, i.e., to bring something to one’s own memory. In ordinary use, to express remembering something without a direct object, Romanians typically use îmi amintesc (I remember) or mi‑am amintit (I remembered). Thus, amintesc is primarily associated with the act of reminding someone of something, rather than recalling it for oneself.

Etymology and related forms: amintesc derives from the Romanian verb a aminti, which is linked to memory concepts and is connected to the noun amintire (memory) and to the broader concept of reminiscence that underpins the language’s terms for memory. The semantic field covers both reminding another person of information and, in reflexive form, the act of remembering something personally.

Usage notes: common constructions include eu îmi amintesc (I remember), el îmi amintește de ceva (he reminds me of something), and mi-a amintit de o întâmplare (it reminded me of an incident). The choice between amintesc and a-și aminti depends on whether the focus is on reminding someone else or on the act of remembering by the subject.

See also: a aminti, a-și aminti, amintire, memorie.