Dictionary · French

souvenir

noun

Senses

  1. 1.

    memory

    a recollection or remembrance of a past event or person

  2. 2.

    souvenir; keepsake

    a physical object kept as a reminder of a place visited or person known

Examples

  • "Je garde un bon souvenir de mes vacances en Provence."

    I have a good memory of my vacation in Provence.

  • "Elle m'a donné sa photo en souvenir avant de partir."

    She gave me her photo as a keepsake before leaving.

  • "Les souvenirs d'enfance sont souvent les plus précieux."

    Childhood memories are often the most precious.

Usage

Masculine noun. Very common in French; often used in the phrase "avoir un bon/mauvais souvenir" (to have a good/bad memory of something). In the second sense, it can mean both an emotional memory and a physical object bought as a remembrance.