A close-up view of a person's open hand releasing a large, stylized antique key, which is floating away and beginning to dissolve into thin air.

olvidarlo

ohl-vee-DAR-loh

ContractionA1regular ar

to forget it?referring to a masculine noun or an entire idea/situation

Also:to forget him?referring to a male person (formal 'usted' context),to leave it behind?figurative meaning

Quick Reference

infinitiveolvidar

gerundolvidando

past Participleolvidado

📝 In Action

Necesitas olvidarlo para poder seguir adelante.

You need to forget it to be able to move forward.

Quiero olvidarlo todo, pero no puedo.

I want to forget it all, but I can't.

Es difícil verlo y no recordarlo.

It's difficult to see him/it and not remember him/it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

dejarlo atrás (to leave it behind)
superarlo (to get over it)

Antonyms

recordarlo (to remember it)
tenerlo en cuenta (to keep it in mind)

Common Collocations

Intentar olvidarlo – To try to forget it
Es mejor olvidarlo – It is better to forget it

💡 Grammar Points

Structure: Verb + Pronoun

This word is the infinitive form of the verb 'olvidar' (to forget) with the direct object pronoun 'lo' (it/him) attached directly to the end. The pronoun tells us what is being forgotten.

Placement of 'lo'

When you have two verbs (like 'Quiero olvidarlo' - I want to forget it), the pronoun 'lo' can either be attached to the infinitive (olvidarlo) or placed before the conjugated verb (Lo quiero olvidar). Both ways are correct!

❌ Common Pitfalls

Forgetting the attachment

Mistake: "Using 'olvidar lo' as two separate words when the pronoun is attached to the infinitive."

Correction: When attaching a pronoun to an infinitive, gerund, or affirmative command, it must be written as one single word: 'olvidarlo'.

Using the wrong pronoun

Mistake: "Using 'olvidarlo' when referring to a feminine singular noun (like 'la llave' - the key)."

Correction: If the thing being forgotten is feminine, you must use 'la': 'olvidarla'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Focus on the Action

Think of 'olvidarlo' as a package deal meaning 'the action of forgetting that specific thing or concept.' This usually happens when you are talking about letting go of a memory or a problem.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: olvidarlo

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence correctly uses 'olvidarlo'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

olvidar(to forget (base verb)) - verb

olvido(forgetfulness/oblivion) - noun

olvidado(forgotten) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'olvidarlo' need a written accent mark?

No, 'olvidarlo' does not need a written accent. The natural stress falls on the 'a' of 'olvidar' (ol-vi-DAR-lo). Only if it were a command, like 'Forget it!' (¡Olvídalo!), would you need the accent mark.

Can I separate 'olvidar' and 'lo'?

Yes, but only if you move the pronoun to the beginning of the phrase, before the conjugated verb. For example, instead of 'Debes olvidarlo,' you can say 'Lo debes olvidar.' (You should forget it.)