ricordarsi

Ricordarsi is a pronominal Italian verb meaning to remember or to remind oneself of something. It is used with reflexive pronouns (mi, ti, si, ci, vi, si) and typically requires the preposition di to introduce the content of the memory or the action to be performed. For example, si può dire “mi ricordo di quel giorno” (I remember that day) or “mi ricordo di aver visto quel film” (I remember having seen that film).

Conjugation: in the present tense the forms are ricordo, ricordi, ricorda, ricordiamo, ricordate, ricordano; with the reflexive pronoun they become “mi ricordo, ti ricordi, si ricorda, ci ricordiamo, vi ricordate, si ricordano.” In compound tenses the auxiliary is essere, e.g., “mi sono ricordato” (masc.) or “mi sono ricordata” (fem.). The imperfect is “mi ricordavo,” and the future is “mi ricorderò,” with corresponding forms for other subjects.

Usage notes: ricordarsi contrasts with ricordare, which means to remind someone else. To remind oneself to do something you say “ricordarsi di fare qualcosa,” as in “Mi sono ricordato di pagare la bolletta.” To remind someone else you can use the transitive form with a person, e.g., “Ricorda a Marco di chiamare mia madre” or “Ti ricorderò di pagare la bolletta.” The sense can express memory of events or intentions, and regional or stylistic preferences may vary in spoken Italian.