to call to mind

• 偶然想起

  think of occasionally

• 忽然想起

  suddenly recall

• 想起一件要事

  remember something important

• 这封信使我想起了往事。

  This letter reminded me of the past.

• 奶奶想了半天才想起这件事来。

  Grandma thought for a while before she remembered this.