die Erinnerung
memory
An image, a feeling, or information from the past that is stored in the mind.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe viele schöne Erinnerungen an meine Kindheit.
I have many beautiful memories of my childhood.
die Erinnerung
memory / reminder
die Erinnerung, die Erinnerungen
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Meanings
die Erinnerung
memory
The brain's ability to store information and retrieve it again when needed; memory.
EXAMPLE
Im Alter lässt bei manchen Menschen die Erinnerung nach.
In old age, some people's memory declines.
die Erinnerung
reminder
A message that reminds someone of something they should do or should not forget; a reminder notice.
EXAMPLE
Sie haben eine Erinnerung erhalten, weil die Rechnung noch nicht bezahlt ist.
You have received a reminder because the invoice has not been paid yet.
die Erinnerung
keepsake
An object that you keep in order to remember a place, an event, or a person; a memento or souvenir.
EXAMPLE
Er hat eine Muschel als Erinnerung an den Urlaub am Meer mitgebracht.
He brought back a shell as a keepsake of the vacation by the sea.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Erinnerung, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Erinnerungen |
| genitive | der Erinnerung |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Erinnerung | die Erinnerungen |
| accusative | die Erinnerung | die Erinnerungen |
| dative | der Erinnerung | den Erinnerungen |
| genitive | der Erinnerung | der Erinnerungen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
The noun 'die Erinnerung' is derived directly from the verb 'sich erinnern' (to remember). The ending '-ung' is a typical way for German verbs to become feminine nouns.
EXAMPLE
Wenn du dich an etwas erinnerst, hast du eine Erinnerung daran.
When you remember something, you have a memory of it.
Fixed preposition
'Erinnerung' is almost always used with the preposition 'an' and the accusative. The structure is: 'die Erinnerung an jemanden/etwas' (the memory/reminder of someone/something).
EXAMPLE
Die Erinnerung an den letzten Sommerurlaub macht mich glücklich.
The memory of the last summer vacation makes me happy.
Typical collocations
When referring to images stored in memory, 'Erinnerung' is often combined with verbs like 'wecken' (to awaken), 'wachrufen' (to call up), or 'haben' (to have). A very typical expression is also 'in Erinnerungen schwelgen' (to indulge in memories / to reminisce).
EXAMPLE
Alte Lieder können starke Erinnerungen wecken.
Old songs can awaken strong memories.
Meine Großeltern schwelgen oft in Erinnerungen an ihre Jugend.
My grandparents often reminisce about their youth.
Context clue: reminder notice
In an official or business context, 'Erinnerung' usually means 'Mahnung' (reminder notice/payment reminder). Signal words are verbs like 'schicken' (to send), 'bekommen' (to get), or 'erhalten' (to receive), often in connection with invoices or deadlines.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe eine Erinnerung erhalten, meine Bibliotheksbücher zurückzugeben.
I received a reminder to return my library books.
As a keepsake
When 'Erinnerung' describes an object, the preposition 'als' is often used. The typical structure is 'etwas als Erinnerung an etwas behalten' (to keep something as a keepsake of something) or 'mitnehmen' (to take along).
EXAMPLE
Sie hat eine Postkarte als Erinnerung an ihre Reise nach Paris aufgehoben.
She kept a postcard as a keepsake of her trip to Paris.
Compare with
Erinnerung vs Gedächtnis
memory
Both words relate to things from the past that are preserved in the mind. An Erinnerung is usually a specific image, feeling, or experience, whereas Gedächtnis refers more to the ability to store and recall such content. Use „Erinnerung“ for the individual content and „Gedächtnis“ for the mental ability.
Erinnerung
Die Erinnerung an den ersten Schultag ist ihr besonders wichtig.
The memory of her first day at school is especially important to her.
Gedächtnis
Sein Gedächtnis funktioniert auch im hohen Alter noch sehr gut.
His memory still works very well even in old age.
In real life
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