A small, simplified character (a person) stands with a confused expression. Above their head, a brightly colored object, like a red key, is visibly dissolving into thin white smoke, symbolizing a lost memory.

olvide

ohl-VEE-deh

VerbA2regular ar

I forget?present subjunctive form (expressing wish/doubt),you forget?present subjunctive form (formal, expressing wish/doubt),don't forget?formal negative command

Also:he/she forgets?present subjunctive form

Quick Reference

infinitiveolvidar

gerundolvidando

past Participleolvidado

📝 In Action

Espero que no olvide la llave.

I hope that he/she doesn't forget the key.

No olvide firmar el documento, por favor.

Please, don't forget to sign the document. (Formal command to 'usted')

Si yo olvide el código, ¿qué hago?

If I forget the code, what do I do? (Using 'olvide' as the 'yo' subjunctive form, often after 'si' for future uncertainty)

Word Connections

Synonyms

desmemoriar (to lose memory (less common))
pasar por alto (to overlook)

Antonyms

recordar (to remember)
acordarse (to recall)

Common Collocations

que no se olvide – so that it is not forgotten
olvide el pasado – forget the past

Idioms & Expressions

olvidar lo aprendido – to unlearn something

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Special Wish' Form

'Olvide' is a special verb form (the present subjunctive) used when you express wishes, emotions, doubts, or suggestions about actions that aren't certain yet. You often see it after phrases like 'Espero que...' (I hope that...).

Formal Negative Command

When you want to give a polite, formal command telling someone ('usted') NOT to forget, you use 'No olvide.' The negative command always uses this special verb form.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing Command Forms

Mistake: "No olvida la contraseña. (Using the indicative 'olvida' for a formal command)"

Correction: No olvide la contraseña. (The formal negative command must use the 'olvide' form.)

Forgetting the 'Que'

Mistake: "Quiero olvide mi cumpleaños."

Correction: Quiero que olvide mi cumpleaños. (If the subject changes—'I want that he/she forgets'—you must use 'que' and the special verb form.)

⭐ Usage Tips

The 'E' Sound Pattern

For regular -AR verbs like olvidar, the special forms (subjunctive and formal commands) switch the 'A' ending to an 'E'. Remember: AR verbs take E forms (olvidE), and ER/IR verbs take A forms (comA).

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedolvida

yoolvido

túolvidas

ellos/ellas/ustedesolvidan

nosotrosolvidamos

vosotrosolvidáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedolvidaba

yoolvidaba

túolvidabas

ellos/ellas/ustedesolvidaban

nosotrosolvidábamos

vosotrosolvidabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedolvidó

yoolvidé

túolvidaste

ellos/ellas/ustedesolvidaron

nosotrosolvidamos

vosotrosolvidasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedolvide

yoolvide

túolvides

ellos/ellas/ustedesolviden

nosotrosolvidemos

vosotrosolvidéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedolvidara/olvidase

yoolvidara/olvidase

túolvidaras/olvidases

ellos/ellas/ustedesolvidaran/olvidasen

nosotrosolvidáramos/olvidásemos

vosotrosolvidarais/olvidaseis

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: olvide

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'olvide' as a formal command?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

olvidar(to forget) - verb

el olvido(forgetfulness, oblivion) - noun

olvidado(forgotten) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'olvide' the same as 'olvido'?

No. 'Olvide' is a special verb form used for wishes, doubts, or formal commands (like 'I hope I forget' or 'Don't forget, sir'). 'Olvido' means 'I forget' as a simple statement of fact in the regular present tense.

How do I use 'olvidar' reflexively (olvidarse)?

When you use the reflexive form ('olvidarse de algo'), it means you forgot something *by accident* or *unintentionally*. For example: 'Me olvidé de la reunión' (I forgot the meeting).