What it's NOT
recollect does NOT translate to recolectar.
To say "recolectar" in English, use to collect / to gather.
ESEN
False cognate · False friend
recollect
Does NOT mean recolectar
It means to remember
Written by Bryan López, English teacher · Updated
What it IS
recollect means to remember.
Why it's confused
Spanish "recolectar" is to gather or collect things from different places. English "recollect" is to remember something from the past, to bring it to mind. To gather things in English is "collect" or "gather."
How it's pronounced
recollectre-co-LÉKT
Tap the button to hear the real pronunciation.
Examples of correct use
English
I don't recollect his name.
Spanish
No recuerdo su nombre.
English
As far as I recollect, it was Tuesday.
Spanish
Por lo que recuerdo, fue martes.
A trick to remember it
Recollect = to remember. To gather things (Spanish "recolectar") = collect/gather.
Mini quiz
"I recollect that day" means...
Frequently asked questions
What does "recollect" mean in English?
"Recollect" means "to remember". It looks a lot like "recolectar", which is exactly why it gets confused, but they don't mean the same thing.
How do you say "recolectar" in English?
To say "recolectar" in English, use "to collect / to gather". If you use "recollect" instead, you would actually be saying "to remember".
Do "recollect" and "recolectar" mean the same thing?
Spanish "recolectar" is to gather or collect things from different places. English "recollect" is to remember something from the past, to bring it to mind. To gather things in English is "collect" or "gather."
Other confusing false friends
More confusing false friends
Library, embarrassed, actually... the full list of words that look the same but mean something different.
Publicidad