01
sich erinnern an
to remember
To recall information or an experience from memory.
example
Ich kann mich gut an unseren ersten gemeinsamen Urlaub erinnern.
I can remember our first vacation together well.
erinnern
to remember / remind
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Reflexive vs. non-reflexive
The structure of the sentence determines the meaning. 'Sich erinnern' (to remember, reflexive) means to recall one's own memory. 'Jemanden erinnern' (to remind someone, non-reflexive, with an object) means to help another person remember.
EXAMPLE
Ich erinnere mich an meine Kindheit.
I remember my childhood.
Always with 'an + accusative'
In all its main meanings, 'erinnern' (to remember/remind) is fixed with the preposition 'an' and the accusative. A common mistake is using the wrong case or a different preposition.
EXAMPLE
Erinnerst du dich noch an das Lied?
Do you still remember the song?
When a thing reminds
When the subject of the sentence is a thing, a place, or a smell, 'erinnern an' (to be reminiscent of / to remind someone of) means that it has a similarity to something else. In this case, the verb is not reflexive.
EXAMPLE
Dieses Parfüm erinnert mich an den Sommer in Italien.
This perfume reminds me of summer in Italy.
Compare with
erinnern vs vergessen
to forget
'vergessen' and 'erinnern' are opposites when it comes to memory. If someone forgets something, they no longer have it in mind or do not think of it in time. If someone remembers something, they bring it back into memory. There is also a risk of confusion because of the forms: 'sich erinnern an' means to remember something oneself; 'jemanden an etwas erinnern' means to help another person not forget it.
erinnern
Meine Schwester erinnert mich immer an Geburtstage in der Familie.
My sister always reminds me of birthdays in the family.
vergessen
Bitte vergiss den Termin beim Arzt morgen nicht.
Please don't forget the doctor's appointment tomorrow.
In real life
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