Introduction
For beginners learning Brazilian Portuguese, saying you forgot something is a practical everyday skill. This article teaches 30 common Portuguese phrases for forgetting, explains key words, gives realistic examples, and shows short dialogues you can use in stores, on buses, or in messages.
Why learn different ways to say I forgot
In daily life you will need to explain forgetfulness politely, quickly, and in different tones—casual, formal, apologetic, or humorous. Learning a variety of phrases helps you sound natural and handle situations like missing an appointment, leaving your phone at home, or forgetting money at a restaurant.
Key words to know
esquecer – to forget. This is the base verb you will see in many forms.
esqueci – I forgot (past). Very common and useful.
esqueci-me – I forgot (reflexive). More common in European usage but Brazilians sometimes use it in formal settings. Prefer esqueci in Brazil.
lembrei – I remembered. Useful to contrast with forgetting.
de – of/about. Often used with esqueci as in esqueci de.
30 Portuguese phrases for saying you forgot something
Below are 30 beginner-friendly Brazilian Portuguese phrases. The first appearance of each main phrase is bolded. After each phrase, there is a simple English explanation and a short practical example.
Esqueci – I forgot.
Simple and direct. Example: Esqueci. Context: when someone asks why you are late.
Esqueci de – I forgot to…
Use before an action or object. Example: Esqueci de pegar a chave – I forgot to grab the key.
Esqueci minha – I forgot my (feminine)
Use with feminine nouns. Example: Esqueci minha bolsa – I forgot my bag.
Esqueci meu – I forgot my (masculine)
Use with masculine nouns. Example: Esqueci meu celular – I forgot my phone.
Acabei esquecendo – I ended up forgetting
Shows accidental forgetting. Example: Acabei esquecendo o documento em casa.
Me esqueci – I forgot (colloquial reflexive)
Casual. Example: Me esqueci do horário – I forgot about the time.
Deixei passar – I forgot / I missed (an appointment)
Useful for missed dates or messages. Example: Deixei passar a reunião – I missed the meeting.
Esqueci completamente – I completely forgot
Stronger emphasis. Example: Esqueci completamente do aniversário.
Esqueci totalmente – I totally forgot
Another emphatic form. Example: Esqueci totalmente da prova.
Não lembrei – I didn’t remember
Simple alternative. Example: Não lembrei de levar a carteira.
Não me lembrei – I didn’t remember (reflexive)
A bit more formal. Example: Não me lembrei do compromisso.
Esqueci de avisar – I forgot to tell you
Useful in messaging or calls. Example: Esqueci de avisar que vou chegar atrasado.
Esqueci de comprar – I forgot to buy
Shopping context. Example: Esqueci de comprar pão.
Esqueci de pagar – I forgot to pay
Useful with bills, tickets, or stores. Example: Esqueci de pagar a conta.
Esqueci o horário – I forgot the time
Missed a meeting or bus. Example: Esqueci o horário do ônibus.
Esqueci a senha – I forgot the password
Digital context. Example: Esqueci a senha do e-mail.
Esqueci a chave – I forgot the key
At home or car. Example: Esqueci a chave dentro do carro.
Esqueci o documento – I forgot the document
At work or on trips. Example: Esqueci o documento em casa.
Esqueci o presente – I forgot the gift
Social context. Example: Esqueci o presente para a festa.
Esqueci de ligar – I forgot to call
Phone context. Example: Esqueci de ligar para a mamãe.
Esqueci o nome – I forgot the name
Introductions. Example: Desculpe, esqueci o nome dele.
Esqueci de anotar – I forgot to write it down
Useful in meetings or classes. Example: Esqueci de anotar o endereço.
Esqueci de trazer – I forgot to bring
When arriving somewhere. Example: Esqueci de trazer o guarda-chuva.
Esqueci de enviar – I forgot to send
Messages or emails. Example: Esqueci de enviar o relatório.
Esqueci completamente disso – I completely forgot about it
Strong phrase for important things. Example: Esqueci completamente disso.
Foi mal, esqueci – My bad, I forgot
Informal apology. Example: Foi mal, esqueci de te avisar.
Desculpa, esqueci – Sorry, I forgot
Polite and common. Example: Desculpa, esqueci o seu nome.
Agora lembrei – Now I remembered
When memory returns. Example: Agora lembrei onde deixei a bolsa.
Short realistic dialogues
These beginner-friendly exchanges show how the phrases work in context.
Context: missing a bus
A: Por que você está atrasado?
B: Esqueci o horário do ônibus. Desculpa!
Context: at a café without money
A: Você vai pagar?
B: Ai, esqueci a carteira em casa. Pode me emprestar?
Context: forgetting to call a friend
A: Você ligou pra Marta?
B: Esqueci de ligar. Vou ligar agora.
Context: leaving an item at a store
A: Seu casaco está na cadeira
B: Obrigado! Eu esqueci o casaco aqui. Ainda bem que voltou.
Practical tips for beginners
Use esqueci in most situations—it’s the safest and most natural. When you want to be polite, add desculpa or desculpe before or after the phrase. For casual friends, use foi mal.
Pay attention to gender agreement: use meu with masculine nouns and minha with feminine nouns, for example meu celular and minha bolsa. The verb esqueci does not change with gender.
For missing appointments or bills, say esqueci de followed by an infinitive: esqueci de pagar. For forgetting an object, say esqueci + the object: esqueci a chave.
When texting, Brazilians often shorten phrases: esq or esqueci alone works. But in spoken situations use the full phrase to sound polite.
Common beginner mistakes
Avoid using esqueci-me in casual Brazilian Portuguese; it sounds formal or nonstandard in Brazil. Prefer esqueci or me esqueci.
Do not forget prepositions. Saying esqueci pagar is incorrect; use esqueci de pagar.
Remember to match possessive adjectives: esqueci meu livro not esqueci minha livro.
Be careful with verb tense: use esqueci for past forgetting. Saying vou esquecer means I will forget, which is different.
Short list of must-know phrases for beginners
Esqueci
Esqueci de
Esqueci minha/minha
Desculpa, esqueci
Foi mal, esqueci
Conclusion
Mastering 30 ways to say you forgot something in Brazilian Portuguese gives you flexibility and confidence in everyday situations. Start with esqueci, learn common objects and actions, and practice the polite forms like desculpa. These simple phrases will help you navigate stores, transit, meetings, and social life with ease.
