Lael logo

olvidar means to forget — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: July 27, 2025

📘 Essential Spanish

olvidar

verb • /[ol-vee-DAR]/

to forget

Example:

No olvides tu pasaporte en casa.

Don't forget your passport at home.

🔍 See more essential spanish words

📱 Download the App

Get reminders · Save favorites · Share words

Lael App Logo

Lael: Spanish Word of the Day

Download on the App Store

🧠 What does olvidar mean?

Olvidar is a common Spanish verb meaning 'to forget.' It can refer to forgetting information, objects, or even people, either intentionally or unintentionally. It's a crucial verb for everyday communication and comes up in various contexts, from simple daily occurrences to more profound emotional experiences.

📚 Extra examples

  • Olvidé mis llaves en casa.
    I forgot my keys at home.
  • No te olvides de llamar a tu madre.
    Don't forget to call your mother.
  • ¡Nunca olvidaré ese día!
    I'll never forget that day!
  • Estoy tratando de olvidar lo que pasó.
    I'm trying to forget what happened.
  • Se me olvidó comprar leche.
    I forgot to buy milk.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to forget' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'to forget' is 'olvidar.'
How do you pronounce 'olvidar' in Spanish?
Olvidar is pronounced ol-vee-DAR, with the stress on the last syllable.
How do you use 'olvidar' in a sentence?
Here are a few examples: 'Olvidé mi libro.' (I forgot my book.), 'No olvides la cita.' (Don't forget the appointment.)
What is the English translation of 'olvidar'?
The English translation of 'olvidar' is 'to forget.'
Does 'olvidar' change for gender or number?
Olvidar conjugates according to the subject pronoun, but it doesn't change for gender or number directly.
Is 'olvidar' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'olvidar' is a very common verb in everyday Spanish conversation.
Does 'olvidar' have slang or double meanings?
While 'olvidar' itself doesn't have slang or double meanings, the way it’s used can sometimes convey subtle nuances depending on the context.
Is 'olvidar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The usage of 'olvidar' is generally consistent across Spain and Latin America.
How do you conjugate 'olvidar' in Spanish?
Here are some common conjugations: yo olvido (I forget), tú olvidas (you forget), él/ella/usted olvida (he/she/you formal forgets), nosotros/nosotras olvidamos (we forget), vosotros/vosotras olvidáis (you all informal forget - Spain), ellos/ellas/ustedes olvidan (they/you all formal forget).

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "olvidar"

Synonyms: desacordarse de, no recordar
Opposites: recordar, acordarse de

💡 Did You Know?

The reflexive form 'olvidarse de' is frequently used and means 'to forget to' or 'to forget about.' For example, 'Me olvidé de comprar pan' (I forgot to buy bread).

📱 Download the App

Get reminders · Save favorites · Share words

Lael App Logo

Lael: Spanish Word of the Day

Download on the App Store