What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
memento
Example
I kept the concert ticket as a memento of the amazing night. [memento: noun]
Example
She gave me a locket as a memento of our friendship. [memento: noun]
souvenir
Example
I bought a keychain as a souvenir from my trip to Paris. [souvenir: noun]
Example
The museum gift shop had a variety of souvenirs for sale. [souvenirs: plural noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Souvenir is more commonly used than memento in everyday language. Souvenir is a well-known term that is often associated with travel and tourism, while memento is less common and may be used in more personal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between memento and souvenir?
Both memento and souvenir are relatively neutral in terms of formality and can be used in various contexts, from casual to formal.
