rappeler

The French verb rappeler is a versatile verb with several meanings, depending on whether it is used in its regular (non-reflexive) form or its reflexive form se rappeler. While both forms relate to memory and reminding, they are used in different grammatical structures and carry different meanings.

The Non-Reflexive Verb “Rappeler”

In its non-reflexive form, rappeler generally means “to call back” or “to remind” someone of something.

It is a regular verb, but it follows the spelling changes of verbs like appeler, where the final consonant l is doubled in some forms.

1. To call back (usually on the phone)

  • Je te rappelle dans cinq minutes.
    I’ll call you back in five minutes.
  • Elle a oublié de rappeler son ami.
    She forgot to call her friend back.
  • Tu peux me rappeler ce soir ?
    Can you call me back tonight?

2. To remind someone of something

  • Ce film me rappelle mon enfance.
    This film reminds me of my childhood.
  • Rappelle-lui le rendez-vous.
    Remind him of the appointment.
  • Ce parfum me rappelle ma grand-mère.
    This perfume reminds me of my grandmother.

In these examples, rappeler is used transitively and takes a direct object, either a noun or a pronoun.

The Reflexive Form “Se Rappeler”

In its reflexive form, se rappeler means “to remember.” This is different from “to remind” in English. The structure also differs from English:

  • Je me rappelle son nom.
    I remember his name.
  • Tu te rappelles cette chanson ?
    Do you remember this song?
  • Nous nous rappelons notre voyage à Paris.
    We remember our trip to Paris.
  • Elle s’est rappelé la date de l’examen.
    She remembered the date of the exam.

Note: In compound tenses (like the passé composé), se rappeler is conjugated with être, but it still takes a direct object, so the past participle does not agree:

  • Elle s’est rappelé la date, not rappelée.

When Is “de” Used with “Se Rappeler”?

Although se rappeler is normally followed directly by a noun (without de), there are two important exceptions where de is required.

1. When the object is a personal pronoun

When what is remembered is expressed with a pronoun, French requires de before the pronoun:

  • Tu te rappelles de lui ?
    Do you remember him?
  • Je me rappelle d’elle.
    I remember her.
  • Nous nous rappelons d’eux.
    We remember them.

This rule applies only when the object is not expressed as a noun but as a standalone pronoun (lui, elle, eux, etc.).

Compare:

  • Je me rappelle ce garçon. (correct)
    I remember that boy.
  • Je me rappelle de lui. (also correct)
    I remember him.

2. When followed by an infinitive verb

  • Je me rappelle de t’avoir vu ici.
    I remember seeing you here.
  • Elle se rappelle de l’avoir rencontré à Lyon.
    She remembers meeting him in Lyon.

This structure—se rappeler de + infinitive passé—is common in both spoken and written French. It differs from the standard noun construction, where de is omitted.

In contrast:

  • Je me rappelle cette personne. (correct)
  • Je me rappelle de cette personne. (incorrect)

“Se Rappeler” vs “Se Souvenir”

Both se rappeler and se souvenir mean “to remember,” but their grammatical structures differ:

  • Se rappeler normally takes a direct object
  • Se souvenir always takes de

Examples:

  • Je me rappelle ce jour-là.
    I remember that day.
  • Je me souviens de ce jour-là.
    I remember that day.
  • Tu te rappelles de lui ?
    Do you remember him?
  • Tu te souviens de lui ?
    Do you remember him?

In many cases, both verbs can be used, but the preposition rules differ.

Summary of Key Differences

FormMeaningStructureExample
rappeler (non-reflexive)to remind / call backrappeler + objectJe te rappelle. / Je rappelle mon frère.
se rappeler + nounto rememberse rappeler + direct objectJe me rappelle cette phrase.
se rappeler + pronounto rememberse rappeler de + pronounJe me rappelle d’elle.
se rappeler + verbto remember doing sthse rappeler de + infinitiveJe me rappelle de l’avoir vu.
se souvenirto rememberse souvenir de + noun/pronoun/verbJe me souviens de lui / de ce jour.

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