esquecer

Senses

1. 1.

   to forget

   to fail to remember or recall something

2. 2.

   to leave behind; to forget (intentionally or unintentionally)

   to not remember to take or bring something

3. 3.

   to neglect; to forget (a duty or obligation)

   to fail to do or attend to something one should have done

Examples

• "Esqueci o seu aniversário. Desculpe!"

  I forgot your birthday. Sorry!

• "Ela esqueceu as chaves em casa."

  She left her keys at home (forgot to bring them).

• "Não posso esquecer de fazer a lição de casa."

  I can't forget to do my homework.

Usage

Very common verb in everyday speech. Use "esquecer + noun" (Esqueci o livro) for physical forgetting, and "esquecer de + infinitive" (Esqueci de ligar) for forgetting to do something. In informal speech, dropping the preposition "de" is common but considered less correct in formal writing.