я забыл
ya zabyl
In Russian, "I forgot" is expressed as я забыл (ya zabyl).
This phrase is used to state that one cannot remember a piece of information or a task. To say you forgot about a specific thing or person, you often use the preposition про after the verb.
Which one should you use?
The phrase я забыл is in the perfective aspect, which refers to the specific moment the memory was lost. In contrast, you should use я забываю to describe an ongoing process of forgetting or a habitual action.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ending changes based on the gender of the speaker: a male speaker uses я забыл while a female speaker uses я забыла. If you want to express the future tense, "I will forget", use я забуду.
How do you pronounce it?
ya zabyl
Did you know?
- While я забыл is the standard way to say 'I forgot', using the verb забыть in certain contexts can carry a nuance of 'to neglect' or 'to fail to perform a duty', turning a memory lapse into a moral failing.
- The word 'I' in я is actually a linguistic relative of the English 'ego', both stemming from the same ancient Indo-European roots.
- The future tense я забуду is not just a prediction of forgetting, but can also be used as a promise to not forget something.
Examples in context
- Я забыл о Томе.I forgot about Tom.This sentence shows how to use the phrase to say you forgot about a person.Tatoeba #3008869 by Ooneykcall, translation #2261952 by CK
- Я забыла его имя.I forgot his name.This sentence demonstrates using the phrase to say you forgot a name.Tatoeba #741691 by ivanov, translation #490881 by adjusting
- Я забыл её адрес.I forgot her address.This sentence illustrates using the phrase to say you forgot an address.Tatoeba #3166881 by marafon, translation #6667476 by deniko
- Я забыл, где я положил свои ключи.I forgot where I put my keys.
- Я забыла уже, что я собиралась сделать сегодня.I've already forgotten what I was supposed to do today.
- 626 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andrei and Anastasia are talking in their kitchen.
- Андрей AndreyЯ забыл купить молоко.Ya zabyl kupit' moloko.I forgot to buy milk.
- Анастасия AnastasiaНичего страшного, Андрей.Nichego strashnogo, Andrey.No problem, Andrei.
- Андрей AndreyЯ очень извиняюсь.Ya ochen' izvinyayu'sya.I am very sorry.
- Анастасия AnastasiaНе переживай, я схожу позже.Ne perezhivay, ya skhozhu pozhe.Don't worry, I will go later.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries я, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
