Meaning
Stating that you do not remember something.
Cultural Background
Forgetting is often excused if you use a polite pronoun and a sincere tone. It's common to blame one's 'goldfish brain' (não cá vàng). People often use 'quên béng' or 'quên khuấy' to add emphasis to the act of forgetting. The phrase 'quên mất tiêu' is very popular and adds a cute, informal flair to the admission. In business, 'Tôi quên rồi' should be followed immediately by a solution to avoid appearing unprofessional.
Drop the 'Tôi'
In casual conversation, just say 'Quên rồi' or 'Quên mất rồi'. It sounds much more native.
Pronoun Power
Always check who you are talking to. Using 'Tôi' with your grandma will sound very strange!
Meaning
Stating that you do not remember something.
Drop the 'Tôi'
In casual conversation, just say 'Quên rồi' or 'Quên mất rồi'. It sounds much more native.
Pronoun Power
Always check who you are talking to. Using 'Tôi' with your grandma will sound very strange!
The 'Dạ' Factor
Add 'Dạ' at the start to sound instantly more polite and well-mannered.
Add an 'À'
Saying 'À, tôi quên rồi' makes you sound like you just had a realization, which is very natural.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the phrase 'I forgot already'.
Tôi quên ___.
'Rồi' is the particle used to show an action is finished.
Which pronoun is most appropriate when speaking to a teacher?
___ quên rồi, thưa cô.
'Em' is the respectful pronoun for a student speaking to a teacher.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Bạn có nhớ số điện thoại của Lan không? B: Xin lỗi, ___.
The context 'Xin lỗi' (Sorry) implies the speaker forgot.
Match the phrase to the situation: You left your wallet at home.
Which phrase fits best?
This correctly identifies the lapse and the result.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesTôi quên ___.
'Rồi' is the particle used to show an action is finished.
___ quên rồi, thưa cô.
'Em' is the respectful pronoun for a student speaking to a teacher.
A: Bạn có nhớ số điện thoại của Lan không? B: Xin lỗi, ___.
The context 'Xin lỗi' (Sorry) implies the speaker forgot.
Which phrase fits best?
This correctly identifies the lapse and the result.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically yes, but it's better to say 'Tôi để quên ô rồi'.
It's neutral. To make it polite, change the pronoun or add 'Dạ' and 'ạ'.
'Quên mất' is more emphatic, like 'completely forgot' or 'forgot by accident'.
You would say 'Tôi sẽ không bao giờ quên'.
It means 'goldfish brain' and is a funny way to say you are forgetful.
No, it sounds incomplete. Always add 'rồi' or 'mất'.
No, 'Tôi' is mostly for formal settings or when you don't know the other person's age.
The opposite is 'nhớ' (remember).
Not exactly. It means the action is completed. Vietnamese doesn't have tenses like English.
Yes, but 'Tôi không nhớ rõ' (I don't remember clearly) might sound more professional.
Related Phrases
Tôi không nhớ
similarI don't remember
Tôi quên mất rồi
specialized formI completely forgot
Để quên
similarTo leave something behind
Nhắc lại
contrastTo remind/repeat
