Momento or Memento: Which Is Correct?
Memento is the correct English spelling for a keepsake or souvenir — something that reminds you of a person, place, or event. Momento is a common misspelling; it is not a standard English word, though it does exist in Spanish and Italian meaning “moment.”
For example, “She kept the ticket as a memento of the concert” is correct. “She kept it as a momento” is the error nearly everyone makes at least once.
Quick Answer
| Word | Part of Speech | Status | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memento | Noun | Correct — a keepsake | A memento of our trip. |
| Momento | — | Misspelling in English | ❌ A momento of our trip. |
Simple rule: Writing in English? It is always memento with an e. Momento with an o is never right.
What Does Memento Mean?
Memento is a noun meaning an object kept as a reminder of the past — a souvenir, keepsake, or token. It comes from the Latin word for “remember,” which is exactly what a memento helps you do.
Examples:
- She kept the shell as a memento of the beach holiday.
- The museum shop sells mementos of the exhibition.
- He carried his grandfather’s watch as a memento.
- We took photos as mementos of the graduation day.
- The ticket stub became a cherished memento.
- Each memento on the shelf marked a different city.
- She treasured the pressed flower as a memento of spring.
For the full dictionary entry, see memento on Merriam-Webster.
What Does Momento Mean?
Momento is not a standard English word. It is simply what memento becomes when the middle vowel gets mixed up — one of the most frequent spelling errors in English, alongside common misspellings like loose vs lose.
The confusion is understandable: moment is a far more common English word than memento, so the brain swaps in the familiar o. Fun fact: momento is a real word in Spanish and Italian, where it means “moment” — but in English, it is always an error.
Examples of the mistake:
- ❌ He bought a momento from the gift shop.
- ❌ The photo was a precious momento.
Momento vs. Memento: Key Differences
| Feature | Memento | Momento |
|---|---|---|
| Correct in English? | Yes | No |
| Meaning | Keepsake, souvenir | — (means “moment” in Spanish/Italian) |
| Middle vowel | e (me-men-to) | o (mo-men-to) — wrong |
| Root | Latin “remember” | Confusion with “moment” |
Unlike true word pairs, this one has a single winner. The only question is how to stop your fingers from typing the o, a problem shared with dieing vs dying.
Examples in Real Sentences
After a Trip
✅ “She arranged her mementos from Japan on the shelf.”
❌ “She arranged her momentos from Japan on the shelf.”
Souvenirs are mementos, with an e all the way through.
Remembering Someone
✅ “He kept his father’s medal as a memento.”
The keepsake honors a memory — the word itself contains the clue.
In a Shop
✅ “The gift shop sells mementos, not momentos.”
Even shop signs get this wrong, so don’t trust every label you see.
Common Mistakes With Momento and Memento
Mistake 1: Writing “Momento” for the Keepsake
❌ A lovely momento of our wedding.
✅ A lovely memento of our wedding.
Why: English uses memento. The o version is always wrong here.
Mistake 2: Thinking “Momento” Is the Plural
❌ She collected several momentoes.
✅ She collected several mementos (or mementoes).
Why: The plurals are mementos or mementoes — built on the correct base word.
Mistake 3: “Memento” as a Verb
❌ Please memento this occasion with a photo.
✅ Please commemorate this occasion with a photo. / Keep this photo as a memento.
Why: Memento is a noun only. The verb you want is commemorate.
How to Remember the Difference
Memory trick: A memento helps you reMEMber — and ME sits right in the middle of meMEnto.
- meMENto → think MEMory.
- The word moment has an o; the keepsake does not.
Say it slowly — “meh-MEN-toh” — and the e sounds will anchor the spelling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it momento or memento?
Memento is correct in English. Momento is a misspelling (though it is a real word meaning “moment” in Spanish and Italian).
Why do so many people write “momento”?
Because moment is a much more familiar word than memento. The brain reaches for the common o spelling by analogy — the same mechanism behind many frequent misspellings. Spellcheckers usually catch it, but only if you notice the red underline before hitting send.
What is the plural of memento?
Both mementos and mementoes are accepted, with mementos more common in modern use.
Is “memento mori” related?
Yes. Memento mori is Latin for “remember you must die” — an artistic reminder of mortality. Same root, same e spelling.
Can “momento” ever be correct in English?
No. In English writing, momento is always an error. If you mean the Spanish/Italian word for “moment,” you are no longer writing English.
How can I stop typing “momento”?
Say the word “memory” in your head first. Both memory and memento start with me — if your spelling starts with mo, you have drifted into moment territory.
Conclusion
Memento with an e is the only correct English spelling for a keepsake; momento with an o is a misspelling. Link it to memory — the me in the middle — and you’ll never slip again. English gives you exactly one right answer here, so once the e is locked in, this pair stops causing trouble for good.
