olvidarse
verbCEFR B1High frequency
What does “olvidarse” mean in English?
to forget, to slip one's mind
to forget, to slip one's mind (olvidarse de)
Example sentences
Me olvidé de comprar el pan.
I forgot to buy the bread.
Se me olvidó completamente el número.
I completely forgot the number (it slipped my mind).
¿Te has olvidado de que tenemos reunión?
Have you forgotten that we have a meeting?
How to use it
Olvidarse de is the reflexive form meaning 'to forget' — it always requires de before the thing forgotten. The non-reflexive olvidar also exists but at B1 olvidarse de is the more conversational, high-frequency form. A common pronominal construction with indirect object pronouns: se me olvidó = I forgot (it slipped my mind).
Common mistake
'Se me olvidó' literally means 'it forgot itself to me' — the subject is the forgotten thing, not the person. English speakers often try to put the person as subject: say 'se me olvidaron las llaves', not 'me olvidé las llaves'.