recordar (algo a alguien)
verbCEFR B2High frequency
What does “recordar (algo a alguien)” mean in English?
to remind someone
to remind someone (recordar algo a alguien — different from recordar = to remember; requires IOP)
Example sentences
Me gustaría recordarle que el plazo para presentar la solicitud vence el próximo viernes a las dos de la tarde.
I would like to remind you that the deadline for submitting the application is next Friday at two o'clock.
El coordinador nos recordó que debíamos traer el documento de identidad original para poder acreditarnos.
The coordinator reminded us that we needed to bring our original ID document in order to register.
Sólo quería recordarle que mañana tenemos reunión a las nueve, por si se le había pasado.
I just wanted to remind you that we have a meeting at nine tomorrow, in case you'd forgotten.
How to use it
Recordar algo a alguien means 'to remind someone of something' — completely different from recordar = to remember. The key is the indirect object pronoun: le recuerdo que (I remind you that), me recordó que (she reminded me that). This is a frequent B2 error source because the same lemma recordar covers both 'remember' and 'remind' depending on the presence of an IOP. Pattern: recordar + IOP + que + indicative (reminder formula). Register note: me gustaría recordarle que is a formal hedged reminder; sólo quería recordarle is softer.
Common mistake
The single most important distinction for English speakers: recordar WITHOUT an IOP = to remember ('Recuerdo tu cumpleaños'). Recordar WITH an IOP = to remind ('Te recuerdo tu cumpleaños' = I'm reminding you of your birthday). English uses two different verbs; Spanish uses one with a structural difference. Getting this wrong produces miscommunication: 'Recuerdo que hay reunión' means 'I remember there's a meeting', not 'I'm reminding you'.