“To forget” in Japanese is 忘れる (わすれる), pronounced wasureru.
Pronunciation
The word has 4 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
To forget, and also to leave something behind: 傘を忘れました.
Example sentences
- 名前を忘れました。なまえをわすれました。I forgot the name.
- 忘れないでください。わすれないでください。Please don’t forget.
Conjugation
The most useful forms of 忘れる. The rules are explained in Japanese verbs: the ます form.
| Form | Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary (plain) | 忘れる わすれる | forget |
| Polite present | 忘れます わすれます | forget |
| Polite negative | 忘れません わすれません | don’t forget |
| Polite past | 忘れました わすれました | past of “forget” |
| Plain negative (ない) | 忘れない わすれない | don’t forget (casual) |
| Plain past (た) | 忘れた わすれた | past of “forget” (casual) |
| て-form | 忘れて わすれて | forget and… / please forget (+ください) |
| Want to (たい) | 忘れたい わすれたい | want to forget |
Quick practice
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Related words: Everyday verbs
FAQ
How do you say to forget in Japanese?
To forget in Japanese is 忘れる (わすれる), pronounced “wasureru”.
How do you write to forget in Japanese?
It's written 忘れる with kanji, or わすれる in hiragana. Both are read wasureru.
Is 忘れる on the JLPT?
Yes. 忘れる (wasureru) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.