Tips 101: Olvidar vs Olvidarse – How to Forget in Spanish

Is forgetting in Spanish as simple as forgetting in English? If you want to forget in Spanish or at least express the idea, there are three ways you can do it.

This week explore how the verb ‘olvidar’ is used and how the idea of something forgotten in Spanish differs from how we are used to it in English. 

There are 5 main ideas around the use of verb ‘olvidar’ that we explore in today’s Spanish podcast.

Firstly we talk about how forgetting is usually something that happens in the past. I forgot to tell you… I forgot what I was going to say…

Then we explore the three common forms the verb ‘olvidar’: normal, reflexive and passive.

Then lastly we talk about how ‘olvidado’ is used in combination with the verb ‘estar’ to talk about ‘something forgotten’.

Check out today’s theory podcast for all of the details. If you have any questions, you can leave a comment below.

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Examples from the episode:

I always forget my mobile – Siempre olvido mi móvil.

Why do I always forget my girlfriend’s birthday – ¿Por qué siempre me olvido del cumpleaños de mi novia?

I forgot the tickets – Olvidé las entradas.

I forgot the tickets – He olvidado las entradas.

I forgot about the tickets – Me olvidé de las entradas.

Did you forget to going to the market? – ¿Te has olvidado de ir al mercado?

I forgot the tickets – Se me olvidaron las entradas.

My English is a little forgotten – Mi inglés está un poco olvidado.

My Spanish is a little forgotten – Mi español está un poco olvidado.

If you want to forget in Spanish, how else can you use ‘olvidar’ or ‘olvidarse’?

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