Translation guide
The English word "recall" has several distinct meanings: remembering something, officially calling someone or something back, and withdrawing a product from the market. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each use.
To bring a past event, fact, or person to mind; to recollect.
To order someone to return, especially in an official or military context; to call back an ambassador or representative.
Used for officially recalling an ambassador, envoy, or military personnel. A formal term.
政府は大使を召還した。
The government recalled the ambassador.
To withdraw a defective or unsafe product from the market.
The standard loanword for a product recall, used in business and news.
その自動車メーカーは欠陥車をリコールした。
The automaker recalled the defective cars.
The most common and natural way to say 'recall' or 'remember' in everyday conversation. It implies an active effort to bring something back to mind.
彼の名前が思い出せない。
I can't recall his name.
その話を聞いて、子供の頃を思い出した。
Hearing that story, I recalled my childhood.
Means 'remember' in the sense of retaining a memory. Often used when you still have the memory, rather than actively recalling it. In negative form, it means 'don't remember' or 'can't recall'.
あの日のことはよく覚えている。
I recall that day well.
何を言ったか覚えていない。
I don't recall what I said.
A more formal or literary way to say 'recall' or 'recollect'. Often used in writing or speeches.
当時の苦労を思い起こすと感慨深い。
Recalling the hardships of that time fills me with deep emotion.
A more general term for calling someone back. Can be used in business or personal contexts, but less formal than 召還.
社長は海外駐在員を呼び戻した。
The president recalled the overseas staff.
Means 'to collect' or 'to take back'. Used for product recalls, but also for general collection of items.
その会社は問題の製品を回収した。
The company recalled the problematic product.