Level A1-A2 (Beginner)
Lesson written by French teacher David Issokson for students who want to learn French online, with audio recorded by Marie Assel Cambier, a professional voice artist and native French speaker.
The French Word of the Day is souvenir, meaning both “memory” and “souvenir.” I chose this word because many students are curious how this gallicism (a French word used in English) is actually used by native French speakers. Keep reading to find out!
✅ Meaning
✅ Pronunciation
✅ Example sentences
✅ Related Words & Expressions
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📘 Souvenir meaning
Souvenir (m.) is a French noun meaning “memory” or “reminder,” as well as “souvenir” in the sense of a small object you buy on a trip. In everyday French it covers both the emotional memories — un bon/mauvais souvenir (a good/bad memory) — and the physical keepsake you pick up while traveling. As a verb, souvenir appears only in the reflexive form se souvenir (to remember), which I cover in detail in a separate Word of the Day lesson (linked below the examples).
🎧 How to pronounce souvenir in French
👉 The pronunciation of souvenir is /su.v(ə).niʁ/ — roughly soo-vuh-neer.
📝 Souvenir example sentences
J’ai de très bons souvenirs de mon voyage à Paris.
I have very good memories of my trip to Paris.
Le mariage restera l’un de mes plus beaux souvenirs.
The wedding will remain one of my most beautiful memories.
👉 See also: Rester conjugation charts (with audio) »
J’ai acheté un petit souvenir de Strasbourg.
I bought a little souvenir from Strasbourg.
J’ai trouvé un super souvenir dans une petite boutique à Nice.
I found a great souvenir in a little shop in Nice.
Related reflexive verb:
👉 Se souvenir – (to remember) — Word of the Day »
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🔗 Related words and expressions
Synonyms
- la mémoire — memory
- la réminiscence — recollection
- la souvenance — remembrance (literary)
- le mémento — keepsake, reminder
Common expressions with souvenir
- se souvenir de (full lesson) — to remember
- garder un bon souvenir de — to keep a good memory of
- un souvenir d’enfance — a childhood memory
- un bon/mauvais souvenir — a good/bad memory
- un souvenir inoubliable — an unforgettable memory
- ramener un souvenir — to bring back a souvenir
- un souvenir de voyage — a travel souvenir
📚 Related lesson hub
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