Ricordiamo

Ricordiamo is the Italian verb form that denotes collective memory or an exhortation to remember. It is the first-person plural present indicative of ricordare, meaning “we remember” or, in a broader sense, “let us remember.” The form is frequently used in speeches, commemorations, journalism, and everyday speech to refer to people, events, or facts that should be recalled.

Etymology and meaning: Ricordare comes from Latin recordari, formed with the sense of bringing something back to memory or the heart. It belongs to the first conjugation (-are) and shares cognates with related terms such as rammentare (to recall) and ricordarsi di qualcosa (to remind oneself of something). In addition to memory, ricordare can mean to remind someone of something (ricordare qualcosa a qualcuno) or to remind someone to do something (ricordare di fare qualcosa) when used with infinitives or subordinate clauses.

Usage: Ricordiamo can function as a simple assertion about memory (we remember) or as an inclusive exhortation (let us remember). In public discourse it often serves as a call to remember a person, an event, or a historical lesson. The reflexive form ricordarsi di is used to indicate remembering to perform a future action, as in ricordarsi di chiudere la porta (to remember to close the door).

Examples: “Ricordiamo le vittime” (We remember the victims). “Ricordiamo di partecipare alla cerimonia.” “Mi ricordo di quel giorno” (I remember that day).

See also: memory in Italian culture, ricordare vs rammentare, remembrance practices.