olvidaba
ol-bee-DAH-bah
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
De niño, siempre olvidaba mi mochila en la escuela.
A2As a child, I always used to forget my backpack at school.
¡Ah, se me olvidaba! Traje el libro que me pediste.
B1Oh, I almost forgot! I brought the book you asked for.
Él olvidaba las llaves cada vez que salía de prisa.
A2He was forgetting his keys every time he left in a hurry.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Used To' Past
This word is the 'imperfect' form of the verb. Use it when talking about things you forgot repeatedly in the past or when you want to set the scene for a story.
One Word, Two People
In Spanish, the 'I' form and the 'he/she/it' form are identical for this tense. You'll need context or a pronoun (yo/él/ella) to know who is doing the forgetting.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Olvidaba vs. Olvidé
Mistake: "Using 'olvidé' for a habit."
Correction: Use 'olvidaba' for habits ('I always forgot') and 'olvidé' for a single event ('I forgot once yesterday').
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Oops' Phrase
Use 'Se me olvidaba' when you're in the middle of a conversation and suddenly remember something you meant to say earlier. It sounds very natural!
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: olvidaba
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence means 'I used to forget my lunch every day'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if 'olvidaba' refers to 'me' or 'someone else'?
You usually tell by the context of the conversation. If it's unclear, Spanish speakers will add 'yo' (I) or 'él/ella' (he/she) to make it clear.
Is 'olvidaba' formal or informal?
It's neutral! You can use it with friends, family, or in a business meeting without any issues.