忘

• Pinyin: wàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 忘 = 亡 (perish/lose) + 心 (heart/mind) — 'the heart loses something'

Meaning

To forget. A basic verb meaning to fail to remember something.

Very common in daily speech, often used with 了 to indicate that forgetting has already happened: 忘了 (forgot). Frequently appears in imperative constructions with 别: 别忘了 (don't forget). Can be used alone or in the compound 忘记.

Examples

1. 我忘了他的名字。 I forgot his name.
2. 别忘了带书。 Don't forget to bring your book.
3. 你忘了今天是什么日子吗？ Did you forget what day it is today?

Usage Guide

Context: memory, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 对不起，我忘了。(Sorry, I forgot.)
• 我差点儿忘了。(I almost forgot.)

Don't Say

• 我忘你的电话号码。(Missing 了 — say 我忘了你的电话号码; 忘 almost always requires 了 to indicate the completed action of forgetting)

Origin & History

Combines 亡 (to perish/lose) and 心 (heart/mind), meaning 'the mind loses something' — a vivid depiction of forgetting.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal