Explanation at your level:
You use 잊어버리다 when you forget something. If you forget your homework, you say '숙제를 잊어버렸어요.' It is a very useful word for beginners!
Use this word to talk about things you lost or facts you can't remember. It is common to say 'I forgot' by using this verb. It shows you have lost the item or the memory.
At this level, you can use 잊어버리다 to express regret or finality. It implies that the action of forgetting has happened completely. It is perfect for telling stories about your day.
This verb is essential for expressing nuance in Korean. It differentiates between simple forgetting and the sense of 'having lost' something. It is very common in casual conversation and semi-formal settings.
In advanced contexts, 잊어버리다 can be used figuratively. You might talk about forgetting past grievances or letting go of negative experiences. It carries a psychological weight that simple 'forgetting' doesn't always capture.
Mastery of this verb involves understanding the subtle difference between 잊다 (the mental state) and 잊어버리다 (the completed, often regretful, action). It is a staple of natural, native-like speech, appearing in literature to describe characters losing their grip on reality or their past.
الكلمة في 30 ثانية
- Used for forgetting memories or losing items.
- Adds a sense of finality/regret.
- Common in daily conversation.
- Essential for A1-C2 learners.
Hey there! 잊어버리다 is a super common Korean verb that you'll hear all the time. Think of it as the ultimate 'oops' word. It combines 잊다 (to forget) with 버리다 (to throw away/do something completely), which gives it that feeling of 'oops, it's totally gone now.'
You can use this for two big things: forgetting information (like a name or a password) and losing physical items (like your keys or your phone). Because of that -버리다 ending, it carries a nuance of finality or regret. It's like saying, 'I've gone and forgotten it!'
The word 잊어버리다 is a compound verb. The root 잊다 has been with the Korean language since ancient times, derived from Middle Korean forms. It relates to the mental act of losing a trace of something.
The suffix -버리다 is fascinating. It originally meant 'to throw away.' Over centuries, it evolved into an auxiliary verb that adds a 'completed action' or 'regretful' nuance to the main verb. Combining them created a powerful way to express the frustration of losing something—whether it's a memory or your favorite umbrella!
You'll use 잊어버리다 in almost every daily scenario. If you're at the store and realize you left your wallet at home, you'd say, '지갑을 잊어버렸어요.' If you can't recall a friend's birthday, you use it too!
It is generally considered neutral in register. However, if you are speaking to someone very high-ranking, you might prefer the slightly more formal 잊었습니다. Remember: it's very common to use this when you feel a bit silly about your mistake.
1. 머릿속에서 잊어버리다: To completely wipe something from your mind. 2. 첫사랑을 잊어버리다: To move on from a first love. 3. 다 잊어버리자: Let's forget everything (used to comfort someone). 4. 기억을 잊어버리다: To lose a memory. 5. 이름을 잊어버리다: To have a name on the tip of your tongue but lose it.
Grammatically, this is a standard transitive verb. It follows the -어/아 버리다 pattern. In speech, it is often contracted to 잊어버렸다 or even 잊어버렸어.
Pronunciation-wise, focus on the 'j' sound—it's soft but crisp. The 'r' sounds are closer to a light 'd' or 'r' flap in Korean. Practice saying it slowly: i-jeo-beo-ri-da. It rhymes rhythmically with other -버리다 constructions like 먹어버리다 (to eat up completely).
Fun Fact
The suffix -버리다 adds a sense of 'oh well, it's gone!'
Pronunciation Guide
Korean phonetic
Korean phonetic
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'j'
- Dropping the 'r' sound
- Stressing the wrong syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize
Commonly used
High utility
Very frequent
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
متقدم
Grammar to Know
Verb + 버리다
먹어버리다
Past Tense
잊어버렸다
Noun + 을/를
지갑을
Examples by Level
가방을 잊어버렸어요.
Bag + object marker + forgot.
Past tense verb.
이름을 잊어버렸어요.
열쇠를 잊어버렸어요.
약속을 잊어버렸어요.
번호를 잊어버렸어요.
숙제를 잊어버렸어요.
지갑을 잊어버렸어요.
내용을 잊어버렸어요.
길을 잊어버렸어요.
다 잊어버리고 새로 시작해요.
어제 일을 완전히 잊어버렸어요.
비밀번호를 잊어버려서 로그인이 안 돼요.
그 사람 얼굴을 잊어버렸어요.
우산 잊어버리지 마세요.
중요한 사실을 잊어버렸네요.
숙제하는 것을 잊어버렸어요.
시간 가는 줄 잊어버렸어요.
지난 일은 다 잊어버리는 게 좋아요.
그의 조언을 잊어버리지 않도록 메모했어요.
너무 바빠서 점심 먹는 것도 잊어버렸어요.
어릴 적 기억을 거의 다 잊어버렸네요.
그 약속을 잊어버린 것은 제 실수예요.
지도 없이 가서 길을 잊어버렸어요.
그녀의 이름을 잊어버린 척했어요.
모든 고민을 잊어버리고 싶어요.
그의 배신은 영원히 잊어버릴 수 없을 거예요.
고통스러운 기억을 잊어버리려 노력 중입니다.
세월이 흘러 많은 것을 잊어버렸습니다.
그의 얼굴을 잊어버린다는 것은 상상할 수 없어요.
우리는 서로의 약속을 잊어버리기로 했습니다.
그날의 감정을 완전히 잊어버렸다고 생각했는데.
그는 과거의 영광을 잊어버린 듯 보였다.
사소한 일은 잊어버리는 것이 정신 건강에 좋습니다.
그는 자신의 근본을 잊어버린 채 살아가고 있다.
시간의 흐름 속에서 그 기억은 서서히 잊어버려졌다.
그녀는 그를 잊어버리기로 마음먹고 여행을 떠났다.
역사를 잊어버린 민족에게 미래는 없다.
그의 이름을 잊어버릴 만큼 오랜 시간이 흘렀다.
그는 자신의 초심을 잊어버리지 않으려 노력한다.
모든 것을 잊어버리고 싶은 충동이 들었다.
그 사건은 사람들의 기억 속에서 완전히 잊어버려졌다.
تلازمات شائعة
Idioms & Expressions
"머릿속에서 지우다"
To erase from memory
그 기억을 머릿속에서 지우고 싶다.
neutral"까마득히 잊다"
To completely forget
까마득히 잊고 있었어요.
neutral"기억이 가물가물하다"
Memory is fading
기억이 가물가물해요.
casual"깜빡깜빡하다"
To be forgetful
나이가 드니 깜빡깜빡해요.
casual"기억 저편으로"
Into the back of one's mind
그 기억은 기억 저편으로 사라졌다.
literaryEasily Confused
Both imply loss
잃어버리다 is for physical loss, 잊어버리다 for memory/forgotten items
지갑을 잃어버렸다 vs 이름을 잊어버렸다
Both mean forget
깜빡하다 is a momentary lapse
깜빡했다 vs 잊어버렸다
Root word
잊다 is simple, 잊어버리다 is emphatic
그를 잊다 vs 다 잊어버리다
Formal synonym
망각하다 is for academic/literary use
망각의 강 vs 잊어버린 기억
Sentence Patterns
Subject + Object + 잊어버리다
나는 숙제를 잊어버렸다.
Subject + (adverb) + 잊어버리다
완전히 잊어버렸어요.
Verb + 는 것을 잊어버리다
문 잠그는 것을 잊어버렸어요.
Subject + Object + 잊어버린 채
지갑을 잊어버린 채 나왔다.
Subject + Object + 잊어버려졌다
그 기억은 잊어버려졌다.
عائلة الكلمة
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
مرتبط
How to Use It
9
Formality Scale
أخطاء شائعة
잊어버리다 is for memory or items left behind; 잃어버리다 is specifically for losing possession.
잊어버리다 adds emphasis/regret.
Must use the past tense suffix.
잊어버리다 means forget, not miss.
Variety makes speech sound natural.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Place the word on your front door to remember not to forget your keys.
When Native Speakers Use It
When they realize they left their phone on the bus.
Cultural Insight
Koreans are very punctual, so forgetting an appointment is a big deal.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use the past tense when reporting the loss.
Say It Right
Keep the rhythm even.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for 'missing' a friend.
Did You Know?
The -버리다 suffix is used for many verbs to show completion.
Study Smart
Write a list of things you forgot this week.
Listen Closely
Listen to K-dramas for the '잊어버렸어' line.
Politeness
If you forget something important, apologize first.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine 'E-J-O' (잊어) as 'Easy-Just-Out' of your brain.
Visual Association
A balloon flying away representing a lost memory.
Word Web
تحدٍّ
Try to say 3 things you forgot today.
أصل الكلمة
Korean
Original meaning: To lose from memory
السياق الثقافي
None, but can sound careless if used about important tasks.
Similar to 'to forget' or 'to lose track of'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At school
- 숙제를 잊어버렸어요
- 책을 잊어버렸어요
- 시간을 잊어버렸어요
At work
- 약속을 잊어버렸어요
- 서류를 잊어버렸어요
- 보고를 잊어버렸어요
Traveling
- 길을 잊어버렸어요
- 여권을 잊어버렸어요
- 지도를 잊어버렸어요
Daily life
- 비밀번호를 잊어버렸어요
- 열쇠를 잊어버렸어요
- 우산을 잊어버렸어요
Conversation Starters
"오늘 가장 기억에 남는 일은?"
"무언가를 잊어버려서 당황했던 적이 있나요?"
"이름을 잊어버렸을 때 어떻게 대처하나요?"
"과거를 잊어버리는 것이 좋을까요?"
"가장 자주 잊어버리는 물건은 무엇인가요?"
Journal Prompts
오늘 잊어버린 것들에 대해 써보세요.
잊어버리고 싶은 기억이 있나요?
왜 우리는 무언가를 잊어버릴까요?
잊어버리지 않기 위해 사용하는 방법은?
الأسئلة الشائعة
8 أسئلة잊어버리다 is for memory/forgotten items; 잃어버리다 is for lost items.
Only if you mean you forgot their name or existence.
잊어버렸어요.
Not inherently, but depends on context.
Yes, in a casual or semi-formal one.
Yes, if you left it somewhere.
Use 잊었습니다.
Yes, 잊다 + 버리다.
اختبر نفسك
저는 지갑을 ___.
잊어버리다 is the correct verb for losing a wallet.
Which verb means 'to forget'?
잊어버리다 means to forget.
Is 잊어버리다 used for physical items?
Yes, it can mean to lose an object.
Word
المعنى
Common collocation.
Word order in Korean is flexible but typically SOV.
그는 초심을 ___.
To forget one's original intention.
Can 잊어버리다 be used for forgiveness?
Yes, in the sense of letting go of the past.
Which is most formal?
망각하다 is the formal, academic term.
A famous phrase about history.
그 사건은 ___.
Passive form usage.
النتيجة: /10
Summary
잊어버리다 is the go-to verb for 'I forgot' or 'I lost it' in Korean.
- Used for forgetting memories or losing items.
- Adds a sense of finality/regret.
- Common in daily conversation.
- Essential for A1-C2 learners.
Memory Palace Trick
Place the word on your front door to remember not to forget your keys.
When Native Speakers Use It
When they realize they left their phone on the bus.
Cultural Insight
Koreans are very punctual, so forgetting an appointment is a big deal.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use the past tense when reporting the loss.
Related Content
هذه الكلمة بلغات أخرى
مزيد من كلمات emotions
받아들이다
A2To accept, to embrace, to take in.
아파하다
A2To feel pain or sorrow.
감탄스럽다
A2To be admirable or wonderful; to inspire awe.
감탄
A2Admiration or marvel; a feeling of wonder.
감탄하다
A2To admire or to marvel; to express wonder.
기특하다
B1Admirable for a good deed or thought; commendable.
충고
B1Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action; advice.
애정
B1Affection; a gentle feeling of fondness or liking.
애틋하다
B2To be tender, fond, or wistful.
살갑다
B2To be warm, friendly, affectionate.
