Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Forget" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "forget", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
わすれる
わすれる (wasureru)
N5 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
忘れます
わすれます (wasuremasu)
N4 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "forget" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between わすれる and 忘れます.
In Japanese, わすれる (わすれる (wasureru)) is typically associated with "to forget" (Syllabus Level: N5) and represents Used for forgetting objects.
On the other hand, 忘れます (わすれます (wasuremasu)) maps to "to forget" (Syllabus Level: N4) and represents 記憶から失われたり、持っていくべきものを置き忘れたりする際に使います。忘れる対象は「を」で示されます。/ Used when something is lost from memory or when one leaves behind something they should have brought. The forgotten object is marked with 'を'.. A literal translation of "forget" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "わすれる"
毎日鍵を忘れて困ります。
I forget my keys every day, which is a problem.
Bilingual Context for "忘れます"
財布を家に忘れました。
I forgot my wallet at home.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "毎日鍵を忘れて困ります。" (Meaning: "I forget my keys every day, which is a problem.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "わすれる" fits here because it means "to forget" in the context of: "I forget my keys every day, which is a problem.". "忘れます" represents "to forget".