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A1 verb #3,000 am häufigsten 8 Min. Lesezeit

oublier

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Erklärung oublier in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'oublier' is primarily used to talk about everyday objects and simple tasks. You use it in the present tense or the 'passé composé' to explain why you don't have something or why you didn't do something. For example, 'J'ai oublié mon sac' (I forgot my bag) or 'N'oublie pas le lait' (Don't forget the milk). The focus is on immediate, concrete situations. You should learn to conjugate it in the present tense and understand that it is a regular verb. It is a very forgiving verb for beginners because its structure is so similar to the English 'to forget'.

At the A2 level, you start using 'oublier' with the preposition 'de' to talk about forgotten actions. You might say, 'J'ai oublié de t'appeler' (I forgot to call you). You also begin to use it in the future tense ('Je n'oublierai pas') and the imperative for giving reminders to others. You learn to distinguish 'oublier' from 'laisser' (to leave) and 'perdre' (to lose). This level involves more social interaction, such as apologizing for forgetting an appointment or a friend's birthday.

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By B1, you can use 'oublier' to talk about more abstract concepts and in more complex sentence structures. You use 'oublier que' to introduce clauses, such as 'J'ai oublié que nous avions une réunion' (I forgot that we had a meeting). You are also comfortable using the imperfect tense to describe ongoing states of forgetting ('J'oubliais souvent mes clés quand j'étais jeune'). You begin to use synonyms like 'omettre' in formal writing and understand the reflexive 's'oublier' in basic contexts.

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At the B2 level, you use 'oublier' to discuss social and historical memory. You might engage in debates about 'le devoir de mémoire' (the duty to remember) versus the act of forgetting. You are expected to handle the agreement of the past participle with preceding direct objects correctly ('Les promesses qu'il a oubliées'). You can use the verb in the conditional and subjunctive moods to express hypothetical or emotional states regarding memory lapses.

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At C1, you use 'oublier' with stylistic precision. You understand its nuances in literary texts and can use it to express philosophical ideas about time and existence. You might use the noun form 'l'oubli' to talk about oblivion or the fading of fame. Your usage is sophisticated, incorporating the verb into complex arguments about collective memory, political amnesia, or the psychological mechanisms of repression. You can distinguish perfectly between 'oublier', 'négliger', 'omettre', and 'méconnaître'.

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At the C2 level, 'oublier' is a tool for nuanced expression in high-level academic or professional discourse. You might use it to describe the subtle erosion of cultural practices or in a poetic sense to describe the 'forgetting' of the self in a state of flow or meditation. You are aware of archaic or rare uses of the verb and can play with its meaning in wordplay or advanced rhetoric. Your command of the verb includes all idiomatic expressions and the ability to use it across all registers from slang to the most formal academic French.

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oublier in 30 Sekunden

The primary French verb for 'to forget,' used for mental lapses, physical objects left behind, and tasks not performed.
A regular -er verb, making it easy to conjugate, but requires the preposition 'de' before following infinitives.
Commonly confused with 'laisser' (to leave) and 'perdre' (to lose), it specifically implies an accidental memory failure.
Essential for daily apologies, reminders, and discussing memory, ranging from basic A1 needs to complex C2 philosophy.

The French verb oublier is a fundamental pillar of daily communication, serving as the primary way to express the act of failing to recall information, neglecting a duty, or physically leaving an object behind. At its core, it is the direct equivalent of the English 'to forget,' but its usage nuances stretch across various psychological and physical contexts. Whether you are a student forgetting a vocabulary word, a traveler leaving a passport on a nightstand, or a friend apologizing for missing a birthday, oublier is the essential tool for navigating the lapses of human memory. It is a regular '-er' verb, making it one of the first verbs learners encounter, yet its versatility ensures it remains relevant through advanced levels of fluency.

Mental Lapse: The most common use involves the inability to retrieve information from memory, such as a name, a date, or a fact. For example, 'J'ai oublié son nom' (I forgot his name).
Physical Displacement: This refers to leaving an object in a location unintentionally. In English, we might say 'I left my keys,' but in French, 'J'ai oublié mes clés' is the standard way to express this accidental abandonment.
Negligence of Action: When used with the preposition 'de' followed by an infinitive, it indicates failing to perform a task. 'N'oublie pas de fermer la porte' (Don't forget to close the door).

In French culture, the act of forgetting can range from a minor social faux pas to a significant thematic element in literature and philosophy. The verb appears in countless songs and poems, often dealing with the passage of time and the fading of love. It is not merely a functional word; it carries the weight of human experience and the fragility of our connection to the past. Understanding oublier requires recognizing that it covers both the 'what' (objects/facts) and the 'to do' (actions/responsibilities).

Pardon, j'ai complètement oublié notre rendez-vous de ce matin.

Il ne faut jamais oublier d'où l'on vient.

Elle a oublié son parapluie dans le bus.

N' oublie pas d'acheter du pain en rentrant.

C'est une histoire que tout le monde a oubliée.

Mastering oublier involves understanding its grammatical structures, which vary depending on whether you are forgetting a thing, a person, a fact, or an action. The verb is transitive, meaning it typically takes a direct object. However, the introduction of the preposition 'de' is crucial when linking the verb to a subsequent action. This section explores these patterns in depth to ensure you can construct accurate and natural-sounding French sentences.

Direct Object (Nouns): When forgetting a person or a thing, use 'oublier' + [noun]. Example: 'J'ai oublié mon téléphone.' No preposition is needed here.
Infinitive Construction: To say 'forget to [verb]', you must use 'oublier de' + [infinitive]. Example: 'Il a oublié de m'appeler.' Omitting the 'de' is a common mistake for English speakers.
Subordinate Clauses: When forgetting a fact or that something happened, use 'oublier que' + [clause]. Example: 'J'ai oublié qu'il était tard.' This follows the same logic as the English 'forgot that...'.

In terms of conjugation, oublier follows the standard pattern for '-er' verbs. In the present tense: j'oublie, tu oublies, il oublie, nous oublions, vous oubliez, ils oublient. In the past tense (passé composé), it uses the auxiliary 'avoir' with the past participle 'oublié'. For example, 'Nous avons oublié.' It is important to note that the stem ends in 'i', so in the 'nous' and 'vous' forms of the imperfect tense, you will see a double 'i': nous oubliions and vous oubliiez. This is a subtle but important detail for advanced writing.

Est-ce que tu as oublié de faire tes devoirs ?

Nous n' oublierons jamais ce beau voyage.

Vous oubliez souvent vos lunettes sur la table.

The verb oublier is omnipresent in French life, appearing in every conceivable social and professional setting. From the casual atmosphere of a Parisian café to the formal environment of a business meeting, the word serves as a bridge for correcting errors and managing expectations. In daily conversation, you will hear it most frequently in the context of minor mishaps. A parent might yell to a child, 'N'oublie pas ton sac !' as they run out the door. A colleague might start an email with 'J'ai oublié de préciser que...' to add a missed detail to a report. Its frequency makes it a high-utility word that provides a safety net for the inevitable mistakes of human interaction.

In French media, oublier is a staple of pop culture. Think of the iconic French songs (chansons) where the theme of 'l'oubli' (oblivion/forgetting) is explored. Famous singers like Edith Piaf or Jacques Brel often sang about the pain of being forgotten by a lover or the struggle to forget a past heartbreak. In cinema, the word appears in titles and dialogues to evoke mystery or nostalgia. For instance, the concept of 'le droit à l'oubli' (the right to be forgotten) is a significant legal and ethical topic in French-speaking digital rights discussions. Hearing this word in the news often signals a debate about history, memory, or privacy.

À la télé : 'Il ne faut pas oublier les victimes de cette catastrophe.'

Au restaurant : 'Oh, j'ai oublié de commander de l'eau.'

Even though oublier is a relatively straightforward verb, English speakers often fall into several predictable traps when translating their thoughts into French. The most frequent error relates to the preposition 'de'. In English, we say 'I forgot to call,' but in French, saying 'J'ai oublié appeler' is grammatically incorrect. You must include 'de' to bridge the two verbs: 'J'ai oublié de m'appeler.' Another common point of confusion is the distinction between 'oublier' and 'laisser'. While both can mean 'to leave,' oublier implies an accidental act (forgetting), whereas laisser often implies a deliberate act of leaving something in a place or leaving it for someone else.

Oublier vs. Laisser: Use 'oublier' when you didn't mean to leave something (e.g., 'J'ai oublié mon parapluie'). Use 'laisser' when you intentionally left it or are simply stating its location without the 'oops' factor (e.g., 'J'ai laissé les clés sur le comptoir').
Oublier vs. Perdre: 'Perdre' means 'to lose' (you don't know where it is). 'Oublier' means you left it somewhere specific or forgot the information. If you say 'J'ai perdu mon rendez-vous,' it sounds like you misplaced a physical meeting, which is incorrect; use 'J'ai oublié mon rendez-vous.'

Faux : J'ai oublié mon livre à la maison. (Correct : J'ai laissé mon livre à la maison - if intentional, or J'ai oublié mon livre - if unintentional).

While oublier is the go-to verb for forgetting, French offers several other verbs that capture specific nuances of memory and neglect. Depending on whether you are being formal, technical, or poetic, you might choose a different term to express your meaning more precisely. For example, omettre (to omit) is often used in professional or academic writing to describe leaving something out of a list or a document. Négliger (to neglect) implies a lack of care or attention rather than a simple memory lapse. Understanding these alternatives will elevate your French from basic to sophisticated.

Oublier vs. Omettre: 'Oublier' is general. 'Omettre' is specific to leaving out a detail, often in a formal context. 'Vous avez omis de signer le contrat' (You omitted/forgot to sign the contract).
Oublier vs. Méconnaître: 'Méconnaître' is more formal and implies failing to recognize or appreciate something's value. 'Il méconnaît l'importance de ce travail' (He fails to recognize/forgets the importance of this work).

In some contexts, you might use the reflexive form s'oublier. This typically means 'to forget oneself,' either in a positive sense (being selfless) or a negative sense (losing one's composure or manners). It is a more advanced usage that demonstrates a deep grasp of the verb's potential.

Il a négligé ses devoirs cette semaine.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The word 'oubliette' (a secret dungeon) comes directly from 'oublier' because prisoners were thrown in there to be forgotten forever.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /u.bli.je/

US /u.bli.je/

The stress in French is generally on the last syllable: ou-bli-YÉ.

Reimt sich auf

manger parler aimer chanter jouer danser travailler étudier

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'r' at the end (the 'er' is always 'ay').
Pronouncing the 'ou' like the English 'u' in 'up'.
Failing to make the 'i' sound clear in the middle.
Mispronouncing the 'ou' as 'u' (rounded French 'u').
Stress on the first syllable.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 1/5

The word is very common and easy to recognize in texts.

Schreiben 2/5

Requires remembering the 'de' before infinitives and 'double i' in imperfect.

Sprechen 1/5

Easy to pronounce and high utility.

Hören 1/5

Clear pronunciation, though liaisons can occur.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

se souvenir mémoire laisser perdre rappeler

Als Nächstes lernen

omettre négliger méconnaître souvenir rappeler

Fortgeschritten

amnésie obnubiler répression inconscient réminiscence

Wichtige Grammatik

Oublier de + Infinitive

J'ai oublié de manger.

Oublier que + Indicative

J'oublie qu'il est tard.

Agreement with Preceding Direct Object

Les clés que j'ai oubliées.

Imperfect Tense Double 'i'

Nous oubliions.

Imperative Negative

N'oublie pas !

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Beispiele nach Niveau

J'ai oublié mon livre.

I forgot my book.

Passé composé with 'avoir'.

Tu oublies tes clés ?

Are you forgetting your keys?

Present tense, second person singular.

N'oublie pas ton chapeau.

Don't forget your hat.

Imperative negative.

Il oublie tout !

He forgets everything!

Present tense, 'tout' as the object.

Nous oublions le pain.

We are forgetting the bread.

Present tense, 'nous' form.

Elle a oublié son sac.

She forgot her bag.

Passé composé, feminine subject.

Oubliez-vous votre nom ?

Are you forgetting your name?

Inversion for a question.

Ils n'oublient pas.

They don't forget.

Negative present tense.

J'ai oublié de fermer la fenêtre.

I forgot to close the window.

Oublier de + infinitive.

N'oubliez pas d'acheter du lait.

Don't forget to buy some milk.

Imperative with 'de' + infinitive.

Elle oublie souvent de m'appeler.

She often forgets to call me.

Adverb 'souvent' placement.

Nous avons oublié de prendre des photos.

We forgot to take photos.

Passé composé with 'de' + infinitive.

Est-ce que tu as oublié notre rendez-vous ?

Did you forget our appointment?

Est-ce que question structure.

Il ne faut pas oublier ses devoirs.

One must not forget one's homework.

Il faut + infinitive.

J'oublie toujours mon parapluie quand il pleut.

I always forget my umbrella when it rains.

Adverb 'toujours' placement.

Ils ont oublié de nous inviter.

They forgot to invite us.

Direct object pronoun 'nous'.

J'ai oublié qu'il y avait un examen aujourd'hui.

I forgot that there was an exam today.

Oublier que + clause.

Il a oublié de me dire la vérité.

He forgot to tell me the truth.

Indirect object pronoun 'me'.

Nous n'oublierons jamais ce que tu as fait pour nous.

We will never forget what you did for us.

Future tense with 'ne... jamais'.

J'oubliais souvent mon déjeuner quand j'étais à l'école.

I used to often forget my lunch when I was at school.

Imperfect tense for habitual actions.

Elle a oublié de mettre son réveil.

She forgot to set her alarm.

Pronominal verb in infinitive.

N'oublie pas que je t'aime.

Don't forget that I love you.

Imperative with 'que' clause.

Ils ont oublié de vérifier l'adresse.

They forgot to check the address.

Infinitive construction.

Vous oubliez que le temps presse.

You forget that time is of the essence.

Present tense with 'que' clause.

Les clés ? Je les ai oubliées sur la table.

The keys? I forgot them on the table.

Agreement of past participle with 'les'.

Il est facile d'oublier ses racines quand on vit à l'étranger.

It is easy to forget one's roots when living abroad.

Il est [adjective] de + infinitive.

Bien qu'il l'ait oublié, elle se souvient de tout.

Although he forgot it, she remembers everything.

Subjunctive mood after 'bien que'.

Nous ne devons pas oublier les leçons du passé.

We must not forget the lessons of the past.

Modal verb 'devoir'.

Elle s'est oubliée dans son travail pendant des heures.

She lost herself in her work for hours.

Reflexive 's'oublier' (to lose oneself).

Si j'avais su, je n'aurais pas oublié de l'appeler.

If I had known, I wouldn't have forgotten to call him.

Past conditional 'si' clause.

L'administration a oublié de traiter mon dossier.

The administration forgot to process my file.

Collective noun subject.

On oublie trop souvent l'importance du sommeil.

We too often forget the importance of sleep.

Indefinite pronoun 'on'.

Le gouvernement semble avoir oublié ses promesses électorales.

The government seems to have forgotten its campaign promises.

Infinitive past 'avoir oublié'.

C'est une nuance que beaucoup d'historiens ont oubliée.

It is a nuance that many historians have forgotten.

Relative clause with past participle agreement.

Il ne faut pas oublier que la liberté a un prix.

One must not forget that freedom has a price.

Impersonal construction with 'que' clause.

Elle a tendance à oublier les détails techniques au profit de la vision globale.

She tends to forget technical details in favor of the global vision.

Noun phrase 'au profit de'.

L'oubli est parfois une forme de survie psychologique.

Forgetting is sometimes a form of psychological survival.

Usage of the noun 'l'oubli'.

Nous oubliions systématiquement de valider nos tickets dans ce vieux tramway.

We systematically forgot to validate our tickets in that old tramway.

Imperfect tense with double 'i'.

Il est regrettable que vous ayez oublié de mentionner cet auteur.

It is regrettable that you forgot to mention this author.

Subjunctive mood after 'regrettable'.

N'oublions pas que chaque geste compte pour l'environnement.

Let's not forget that every gesture counts for the environment.

Hortatory imperative 'nous' form.

L'œuvre de cet artiste, longtemps oubliée, connaît aujourd'hui une renaissance.

The work of this artist, long forgotten, is now experiencing a renaissance.

Past participle used as an adjective.

S'oublier dans la contemplation du paysage est une expérience transcendante.

Forgetting oneself in the contemplation of the landscape is a transcendent experience.

Infinitive as a subject.

On ne saurait oublier l'impact dévastateur de cette décision.

One could not forget the devastating impact of this decision.

Formal 'ne saurait' + infinitive.

Le temps, dans sa marche inexorable, finit par tout oublier.

Time, in its inexorable march, eventually forgets everything.

Personification of 'le temps'.

Il a été reproché au ministre d'avoir délibérément oublié certains faits.

The minister was criticized for having deliberately forgotten certain facts.

Passive voice with past infinitive.

Une société qui oublie son passé est condamnée à le répéter.

A society that forgets its past is condemned to repeat it.

Relative clause with 'qui'.

Elle craignait par-dessus tout d'oublier la voix de sa mère.

She feared above all forgetting her mother's voice.

Complex prepositional phrase 'par-dessus tout'.

L'écrivain explore les méandres de l'oubli dans son dernier roman.

The writer explores the twists and turns of forgetting in his latest novel.

Metaphorical usage.

Häufige Kollokationen

oublier de faire

oublier ses clés

complètement oublié

ne jamais oublier

oublier le passé

oublier un détail

oublier son sac

oublier que

vite oublié

oublier ses soucis

Häufige Phrasen

N'oublie pas !

— A short, emphatic reminder to someone to keep something in mind.

N'oublie pas, on part à huit heures !

J'ai oublié.

— The standard way to admit a memory lapse or mistake.

Pardon, j'ai oublié de t'appeler.

C'est oublié.

— Used to tell someone that a past mistake or offense is forgiven and no longer matters.

Ne t'inquiète pas pour l'argent, c'est oublié.

On n'oublie rien.

— A philosophical statement suggesting that deep memories always remain.

On n'oublie rien, on vit avec.

À ne pas oublier.

— Used in lists or notes to highlight something important that must be remembered.

À ne pas oublier : les passeports et les billets.

Sans oublier...

— Used to add one last item to a list, similar to 'not forgetting' or 'as well as'.

Il y avait du fromage, du vin, sans oublier le pain.

Oublie ça !

— An informal way to tell someone to drop a subject or that something isn't important.

Tu me dois cinq euros ? Oh, oublie ça !

Ne m'oublie pas.

— A sentimental request often used when parting ways.

Écris-moi souvent, ne m'oublie pas.

J'allais oublier...

— A phrase used when you suddenly remember something you were about to omit.

J'allais oublier, Marie t'envoie ses amitiés.

C'est à oublier.

— Suggests that something was so bad or embarrassing that it's best not to think about it again.

Ce match était terrible, c'est à oublier.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

oublier vs laisser

Use 'laisser' for intentional leaving or stating location; 'oublier' for unintentional.

oublier vs perdre

'Perdre' is to lose; 'oublier' is to forget.

oublier vs omettre

'Omettre' is more formal and specific to leaving out details.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Oublier le boire et le manger"

— To be so absorbed in an activity that one forgets basic needs like eating and drinking.

Quand il peint, il oublie le boire et le manger.

literary

"S'oublier soi-même"

— To be completely selfless or to lose one's sense of self in a task or for others.

Elle s'oublie elle-même pour s'occuper de ses enfants.

neutral

"Un oubli de soi"

— A state of total selflessness or lack of ego.

Sa générosité témoigne d'un véritable oubli de soi.

formal

"Oublier ses manières"

— To behave rudely or to fail to follow social etiquette.

Ne commence pas à manger avant tout le monde, n'oublie pas tes manières !

neutral

"Tomber dans l'oubli"

— To be forgotten by the public or to fade into obscurity.

Beaucoup de vieux films sont tombés dans l'oubli.

formal

"Oublier d'être bête"

— An ironic way to say someone is very clever or shrewd.

Il a bien négocié le contrat, il n'a pas oublié d'être bête celui-là !

informal

"Faire oublier quelque chose"

— To make people forget a previous bad event by doing something good.

Sa victoire a fait oublier ses échecs précédents.

neutral

"Mettre aux oubliettes"

— To completely discard an idea or project, or to sentence something to total oblivion.

Le projet de nouvelle loi a été mis aux oubliettes.

neutral

"Oublier le monde"

— To disconnect from society and reality, often for relaxation.

À la campagne, j'oublie le monde entier.

poetic

"Il a oublié qu'il a été jeune"

— Said of an older person who is too strict or lacks empathy for young people's mistakes.

Le patron est très sévère, il a oublié qu'il a été jeune.

neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

oublier vs laisser

Both can mean 'to leave'.

Oublier is accidental (forgetting). Laisser is often intentional or just descriptive of position.

J'ai laissé les clés sur la table (intentional). J'ai oublié mes clés (unintentional).

oublier vs perdre

If you forget where something is, you might say you lost it.

Perdre is the state of not knowing where it is. Oublier is the act of leaving it behind or failing to remember a fact.

J'ai perdu mon portefeuille. J'ai oublié mon rendez-vous.

oublier vs se rappeler

It is the opposite of oublier.

Se rappeler takes a direct object (usually), while se souvenir takes 'de'. Oublier is the direct antonym.

Je me rappelle ce jour. J'ai oublié ce jour.

oublier vs ignorer

Sometimes forgetting looks like ignoring.

Ignorer means 'to not know' or 'to deliberately ignore'. Oublier is a lapse in memory.

J'ignore son nom (I don't know it). J'ai oublié son nom (I knew it but forgot).

oublier vs manquer

Missing a meeting can be because you forgot it.

Manquer is the result (to miss). Oublier is the cause (to forget).

J'ai manqué le train parce que j'ai oublié l'heure.

Satzmuster

J'ai oublié [noun].

J'ai oublié mon parapluie.

N'oublie pas [noun].

N'oublie pas ton sac.

J'ai oublié de [verb].

J'ai oublié de t'appeler.

N'oubliez pas de [verb].

N'oubliez pas de fermer la porte.

J'ai oublié que [clause].

J'ai oublié que tu venais ce soir.

[Object] que j'ai oublié(e)(s).

C'est une chose que j'ai oubliée.

Il ne faut pas oublier que...

Il ne faut pas oublier que la situation est complexe.

S'oublier dans [activity].

Elle s'oublie dans la lecture.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

oubli (m) - the act of forgetting

oubliette (f) - a dungeon where prisoners were 'forgotten'

inoubliable (adj/n) - something/someone unforgettable

Verben

s'oublier - to forget oneself

Adjektive

oublié - forgotten

oubliable - forgettable

inoubliable - unforgettable

Verwandt

mémoire (f)

souvenir (m)

amnésie (f)

omission (f)

négligence (f)

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Extremely high in all spoken and written French.

Häufige Fehler

J'ai oublié faire mes devoirs. → J'ai oublié de faire mes devoirs.
You must use the preposition 'de' when 'oublier' is followed by an infinitive.
J'ai oublié mon livre à la bibliothèque. → J'ai laissé mon livre à la bibliothèque.
While 'oublier' can mean 'left behind', 'laisser' is often preferred when specifying a location.
Nous oublions les clés. → Nous avons oublié les clés.
In English, we often use the present to say 'I forgot', but in French, the passé composé is usually required.
Je n'oublierai pas de toi. → Je ne t'oublierai pas.
Oublier takes a direct object for people, not 'de' + person.
J'ai perdu mon rendez-vous. → J'ai oublié mon rendez-vous.
You 'forget' an appointment; you don't 'lose' it unless it's a physical piece of paper.

Tipps

The 'De' Rule

Always remember to use 'de' before an infinitive. 'J'ai oublié de...' is one of the most common structures you will use.

Oublier vs. Laisser

If you forgot it by mistake, use 'oublier'. If you left it somewhere intentionally, use 'laisser'.

Silent 'r'

The final 'r' in 'oublier' is silent. It sounds like 'ou-bli-ay'.

Agreement

In the passé composé, remember to agree the past participle if the direct object comes before the verb.

Natural Apologies

Saying 'Désolé, j'ai oublié' is a very common and natural way to apologize for small mistakes.

Liaison

Listen for the 'z' sound in 'nous oublions' to help identify the 'nous' form in speech.

Memory Laws

Understanding 'le devoir de mémoire' helps you see why the verb 'oublier' is so significant in French society.

Oublie ça

Use 'Oublie ça' to mean 'Never mind' or 'Forget about it' in informal settings.

Double 'i'

Don't be afraid of the double 'i' in 'oubliiions'. It's rare but correct in the imperfect.

Word Family

Learning 'un oubli' and 'inoubliable' alongside 'oublier' will quickly expand your vocabulary.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of an 'Oubliette'. If you are in an oubliette, everyone has 'forgotten' you. 'Oublier' is the action that puts you there.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant 'O' (for Oublier) as a hole in the ground where your keys and memories are falling into.

Word Web

Mémoire Clés Rendez-vous De Inoubliable Passé Oubli Esprit

Herausforderung

Try to go through your day and every time you leave a room, say 'Je n'oublie rien' (I am forgetting nothing).

Wortherkunft

The word 'oublier' comes from the Vulgar Latin 'oblitare', which is a frequentative form of the Classical Latin 'oblivisci'. The Latin root 'oblivisci' itself is related to 'levis' (smooth), suggesting a 'smoothing over' of the mind.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To be unmindful of, to lose from memory.

Romance (Indo-European)

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful when using 'oublier' regarding sensitive historical events; 'méconnaître' or 'nier' (to deny) might be more precise or controversial terms.

English speakers use 'forget' similarly, but French uses 'oublier' more often for 'leaving things behind' (I forgot my keys vs. I left my keys).

The song 'Ne me quitte pas' by Jacques Brel mentions the desire to forget the past. The concept of 'oubliettes' in medieval French castles. The film 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (French title: 'Du soleil plein la tête') deals with the theme of 'l'oubli'.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

At home

J'ai oublié d'éteindre la lumière.
N'oublie pas de sortir les poubelles.
Où ai-je oublié mes lunettes ?
Il a oublié son goûter.

At work

J'ai oublié de vous envoyer le fichier.
N'oublions pas l'ordre du jour.
Elle a oublié de noter le rendez-vous.
Nous avons oublié un point important.

Traveling

J'ai oublié mon passeport !
N'oublie pas de valider ton billet.
Nous avons oublié le nom de l'hôtel.
Ils ont oublié leurs bagages.

Socializing

Désolé, j'ai oublié ton anniversaire.
N'oublie pas de me texter quand tu arrives.
On a oublié de prendre une photo de groupe.
J'ai oublié de te présenter à Jean.

School

J'ai oublié ma trousse.
N'oublie pas d'étudier pour le test.
Le professeur a oublié de ramasser les devoirs.
J'ai oublié la règle de grammaire.

Gesprächseinstiege

"Est-ce que tu oublies souvent tes clés ou ton téléphone ?"

"Quel est le souvenir que tu ne voudrais jamais oublier ?"

"As-tu déjà oublié un rendez-vous très important ?"

"Qu'est-ce que tu as oublié de faire aujourd'hui ?"

"Est-il facile pour toi d'oublier les erreurs des autres ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Écrivez sur une fois où vous avez oublié quelque chose d'important et ce qui s'est passé ensuite.

Quels sont les avantages et les inconvénients d'oublier le passé ?

Faites une liste de cinq choses que vous ne devez pas oublier de faire demain.

Décrivez un objet que vous avez oublié dans un lieu public et comment vous l'avez retrouvé.

Réfléchissez à l'expression 'le droit à l'oubli' sur Internet.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, 'oublier' only needs 'de' when it is followed by another verb in the infinitive (e.g., 'oublier de partir'). If it is followed by a noun, no preposition is needed (e.g., 'oublier ses clés').

'Oublier' implies a memory failure. If you 'oublier' your keys, you didn't mean to leave them. If you 'laisser' your keys, you might have left them there on purpose or you are simply stating where they are.

It is a regular -er verb: j'oublie, tu oublies, il oublie, nous oublions, vous oubliez, ils oublient.

It is always used with 'avoir'. For example: 'J'ai oublié'.

It can mean to forget oneself (selflessness) or to lose one's manners/composure. In some contexts, it can also be a euphemism for a child having an accident.

Yes, in the sense of 'to leave behind by accident'. For example, 'J'ai oublié mon parapluie au restaurant' means 'I left my umbrella at the restaurant'.

Yes, 'inoubliable' means 'unforgettable'. The prefix 'in-' means 'not', and the suffix '-able' means 'able to be'.

You use the imperative: 'N'oublie pas' (informal) or 'N'oubliez pas' (formal/plural).

'L'oubli' is the noun form of 'oublier', meaning 'forgetfulness' or 'oblivion'.

In the imperfect tense, the stem of 'oublier' is 'oubli-'. The ending for 'nous' is '-ions'. Combining them results in 'oubli-ions'.

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