Recordar(se) / Acordar(se)

Question

I had thought 'recordar' is used to mean 'to remember' and 'acordar' for 'to agree'.

However, listening to my Pimsleur audio disc in the car this morning, I heard 'me acuerdo' for 'I remember'. Actually, I've been hearing '¿se acuerda usted cómo se dice ?' for a while now; it's one of the set phrases spoken by the lesson announcer, but he's a little unclear so I had assumed he was saying 'recuerda'.

Are 'recordar' and 'acordar' interchangeable for 'to remember' ?

Any help would be much appreciated

Falda, check out my post. - Daniela2041, Mar 9, 2015

Answer 1

You're right on both counts- acordar means 'to agree to/on/with' whereas it's the pronominal form acordarse that means 'to remember'.

Acordarse and recordar (de) are often interchangeable as technically both mean to recall or remember but .... (and this is not a set rule, just my observation of how native speakers often use these two verbs) it often seems that acordarse is great for things already in your head that you want to remember and bring out and recordar is good for things you want to put into your head and remember (if that makes sense lol).

It does make sense. Funny English with its single and confusing word "remember". - Manity, Mar 9, 2015

Thanks, yes it makes sense. @ Manity, English also has 'recall', 'recollect', 'bring/call to mind', 'put to mind', & in Scotland, 'mind' as a verb, meaning 'remember'... - Faldaesque, Mar 9, 2015

I suppose 'acordarse' = 'call to mind', whereas 'recordarse' = 'put to mind' (or 'commit to memory' (I just recalled that one, jeje))... ;-) - Faldaesque, Mar 9, 2015

Answer 2

In addition to what Kiwi has stated, the term "acordarse de" when it speaks of you remembering something is always reflexive.

"No me acuerdo del nombre de mi profesor de álgebra. I don't remember my algebra teacher's name.

While "recordar" is not.

Pero sí recuerdo que era imbécil. But I do remember that he was a jerk. (non-reflexive)

However "recordar" can also be used to say that I'm reminded of something.

"Lo del profesor de álgebra me recuerda que ese tipo me dio una "F" en la clase.

Regarding the bit about the algebra teacher reminds me that this guy gave me an "F" in the class.

Thanks, Dani :-) - Faldaesque, Mar 9, 2015