Meaning
Not remembering.
Cultural Background
Norwegians value self-reliance. Forgetting something like your 'matpakke' (packed lunch) is a common small tragedy discussed in offices. In Sami culture, memory of the land and reindeer paths is vital. Forgetting a path can be dangerous, so 'forgetting' is treated with gravity. In Norwegian business, 'å glemme' is okay if followed by immediate action. Making excuses is less respected than admitting the slip. On Norwegian TikTok or Instagram, 'Glem det' is often used in captions for 'fails' or when a plan doesn't work out.
The 'Bare' trick
Always add 'bare' before 'glem det' to sound more natural when saying 'never mind'.
Silent T
Never pronounce the 't' in 'det'. If you do, you'll sound like a 19th-century textbook.
Meaning
Not remembering.
The 'Bare' trick
Always add 'bare' before 'glem det' to sound more natural when saying 'never mind'.
Silent T
Never pronounce the 't' in 'det'. If you do, you'll sound like a 19th-century textbook.
Apology first
In Norway, if you forget something important, start with 'Beklager' (Sorry) before saying 'jeg glemte det'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'å glemme' in the past tense.
Jeg ___ (å glemme) nøklene mine i går.
'I går' (yesterday) signals that we need the past tense 'glemte'.
Which sentence means 'Never mind'?
Someone asks you a question, but you change your mind. You say:
'Bare glem det' is the standard way to say 'Never mind' or 'Just forget it'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Skal vi dra nå? B: Vent! Jeg ___ mobilen min!
The context of 'Vent!' (Wait!) suggests something was forgotten.
Match the Norwegian phrase to its English meaning.
1. Ikke glem det. 2. Jeg glemte det. 3. Glemmer du det?
Matching the verb forms (imperative, past, present) to their English equivalents.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Glemme vs. Gjemme
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJeg ___ (å glemme) nøklene mine i går.
'I går' (yesterday) signals that we need the past tense 'glemte'.
Someone asks you a question, but you change your mind. You say:
'Bare glem det' is the standard way to say 'Never mind' or 'Just forget it'.
A: Skal vi dra nå? B: Vent! Jeg ___ mobilen min!
The context of 'Vent!' (Wait!) suggests something was forgotten.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Matching the verb forms (imperative, past, present) to their English equivalents.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt depends on the tone. 'Bare glem det' is usually fine, but 'Du kan glemme det!' is a sharp 'No'.
'Glemme' is general. 'Glemme bort' is for things that slip your mind over time, like an appointment.
Yes, 'Jeg glemte ham' means 'I forgot him' (either his name or to include him).
Use 'Jeg glemte nøklene mine igjen hjemme'.
Yes, 'glemsel' (oblivion) or 'glemsomhet' (forgetfulness).
In the phrase 'Glem det' (Never mind), 'det' refers to the situation, not the person.
Yes, it means 'I am forgotten', but it sounds very dramatic!
It's an imaginary book where forgotten things go. 'Det gikk i glemmeboka'.
Not exactly, but 'å glemme med vilje' (to forget on purpose) is close.
GLEM-teh. The 'e' at the end is short.
Related Phrases
å huske
contrastto remember
å glemme bort
similarto slip one's mind
å glemme igjen
specialized formto leave behind
en glemmebok
builds onoblivion / the 'forgetting book'
å drit i det
synonymforget it (vulgar)
