Ricordare or ricordarsi (to remember)? Dimenticare or dimenticarsi (to forget)?
The verb ricordare (to remember) can be used with or without the reflexive pronoun. Ricordare and ricordarsi (both meaning “to remember”) are interchangeable but there are certain cases in which we have to use one or the other.
We use ricordare (to remember, to remind):
- when there is an object complement immediately after the verb;
Ricordo la festa di Capodanno del 2000.
I remember the New Year's Eve party of 2000.
- to draw someone's attention to something;
Ricordo ai partecipanti di presentarsi 30 minuti prima dell'inizio dell'evento.
I remind participants to arrive 30 minutes before the start of the event.
We use ricordarsi (to remember):
- when the verb is followed by the preposition di + a noun or infinitive verb;
Ti ricordi delle vacanze dell'anno scorso? (delle = di + le).
Do you remember last year's vacation?
Si sono ricordati di prenotare le vacanze.
They remembered to book their vacation.
- when the verb is preceded by the preparation a + a pronoun used with the preposition. The verb has to agree with the subject of the sentence;
A me questi dolci ricordano la nostra infanzia.
These candies remind me of our childhood.
A noi questo libro ricorda quelli di Moccia.
This book reminds us of Moccia's.
The verb dimenticarsi (to forget) is always reflexive when followed by the preposition di + noun. In all other instances it can be replaced with dimenticare.
Si dimentica sempre del suo compleanno.
He always forgets his birthday.
Dimentica sempre il suo compleanno.
He always forgets his birthday.
Si dimentica/dimentica sempre le chiavi.
He always forgets his keys.
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