Rappeler

Rappeler is a French verb with several related senses. It mainly means to remind someone of something, to call someone back by phone, or to recall something from memory. The exact sense depends on its construction: with a person or thing as the object for reminding, with a reflexive form for memory, or in colloquial use for returning a phone call.

Etymology: The verb comes from Old French rapeler, formed from re- (again, back) and appeler (to call). The prefix signals repetition or return, giving the sense “to call again” or “to remind.” The noun rappel denotes a reminder or a recall.

Conjugation: Rappeler is a regular -er verb with stem changes in some forms. Present indicative: je rappelle, tu rappelles, il rappelle, nous rappelons, vous rappelez, ils rappellent. Passé composé: j'ai rappelé; imperfect: je rappelais; future: je rappellerai; conditional: je rappellerais. Imperative: rappelle, rappelons, rappelez. The reflexive form se rappeler is used for remembering: je me rappelle, tu te rappelles, il se rappelle, nous nous rappelons, vous vous rappelez, ils se rappellent.

Usage notes: In the sense to remind, one can say rappeler quelque chose à quelqu'un or rappeler à quelqu'un de faire quelque chose: «Rappelle-lui de venir» or «Je te rappelle ta réunion.» In the sense to call back on the phone: «Je te rappelle demain» or «Ils m’ont rappelé ce matin.» In the memory sense: se rappeler ce souvenir. The noun rappel denotes a reminder or a recall.