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.
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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