Mi primer recuerdo es especial.

My first memory is special.

Breakdown of Mi primer recuerdo es especial.

• ser: to be
• mi: my
• especial: special
• el recuerdo: the memory
• primer: first

Questions & Answers about Mi primer recuerdo es especial.

Why does primer lose the o at the end instead of saying primero?

In Spanish, the words primero (first) and tercero (third) lose the -o when they come right before a masculine singular noun. So you say primer recuerdo rather than primero recuerdo. But if the noun is feminine or plural, you keep the full form (e.g., primera vez, primeros recuerdos).

What’s the difference between recuerdo and memoria in Spanish?

They can sometimes overlap, but generally recuerdo refers to a specific recollection or ‘memory’ of an event in your mind. Memoria can mean ‘memory’ as an ability or capacity to remember, or it can refer to a broader concept (like the collective memory of a community). In this sentence, recuerdo focuses on one specific recollection.

Why is it es especial and not está especial?

In Spanish, ser is used with qualities that are generally considered characteristic or inherent, such as something being special in a more permanent or defining way. Estar tends to indicate a more transient condition or state. Here, we’re saying the memory is inherently special, rather than just feeling special at the moment.

Can I say Es especial mi primer recuerdo instead?

Yes, you could say it that way, but it sounds more natural in Spanish to start with Mi primer recuerdo and then the verb es especial. The emphasis is immediately on my first memory. Both sentences are grammatically correct; it’s just a matter of word order preference.