Souvenir
Something that you buy or keep to remember a place you have visited on holiday or a special event.
Examples
3 of 5We bought several souvenirs for our friends back home.
We purchased many small gifts to remember the trip for our friends.
The museum shop offers a range of high-quality souvenirs.
The shop in the museum sells many good things to help you remember your visit.
I love this old shell; it's a souvenir from our first beach holiday.
I like this shell; it's a memory from when we first went to the sea.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Souvenir sounds like 'So-You-Can-Venir' (French for come/remember) — it helps you 'come' back to that memory.
Quick Quiz
I want to visit the ___ shop before we leave the airport.
Correct!
The correct answer is: souvenir
Examples
We bought several souvenirs for our friends back home.
everydayWe purchased many small gifts to remember the trip for our friends.
The museum shop offers a range of high-quality souvenirs.
formalThe shop in the museum sells many good things to help you remember your visit.
I love this old shell; it's a souvenir from our first beach holiday.
informalI like this shell; it's a memory from when we first went to the sea.
The commodification of souvenirs has changed traditional crafts.
academicTurning local crafts into items to sell to tourists has changed how they are made.
Sales of souvenirs account for 20% of the theme park's profit.
businessSelling small gift items makes up 20% of the park's money.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
as a souvenir
acting as a reminder of something
tacky souvenir
a cheap or low-quality reminder
souvenir hunter
someone who looks for objects to take home
Often Confused With
A memory is a thought in your mind; a souvenir is a physical object.
Usage Notes
Use 'souvenir' for objects specifically linked to travel. It is often used with 'of' (e.g., a souvenir of Rome).
Common Mistakes
Spelling is difficult; remember it starts with 'sou' (like 'south') and ends with 'nir'.
Memory Tip
Souvenir sounds like 'So-You-Can-Venir' (French for come/remember) — it helps you 'come' back to that memory.
Word Origin
From French 'se souvenir', meaning 'to remember'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Common souvenirs include magnets, postcards, and local crafts.
Quick Quiz
I want to visit the ___ shop before we leave the airport.
Correct!
The correct answer is: souvenir
Related Vocabulary
More Hospitality & Tourism words
Reservation
B1An arrangement to have something kept for you, such as a room in a hotel or a table in a restaurant. It is a formal promise that a service will be available for you at a specific time.
Accommodation
B1A place to live, work, or stay in, especially when you are traveling. It refers to the physical building or room provided for guests.
Destination
B1The place where someone is going or where something is being sent or taken. In tourism, it refers to the final location of a traveler's trip.
Itinerary
B1A detailed plan or a list of the places you will visit on a journey, often including the times and dates of travel.
Excursion
B1A short journey or trip, especially one taken as a leisure activity. It is usually organized for a group of people and lasts for a day or less.
Amenities
B1Features or services that provide comfort, convenience, or pleasure. In a hotel, these might include a gym, a swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, or toiletries.
Reception
B1The area in a hotel, office, or hospital where guests or patients are greeted and registered when they first arrive.
Sightseeing
B1The activity of visiting interesting places, especially by people on holiday. It involves looking at famous buildings, landmarks, or scenery.
Recommendation
B1A suggestion or advice that someone or something is good and should be chosen. In tourism, it usually refers to advice about which hotels, restaurants, or places to visit.
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