German Memory & Forgetting Vocabulary
This set covers the German vocabulary for memory, from the noun das Gedächtnis (memory as a faculty) to specific acts like sich erinnern (to remember) and vergessen (to forget). One thing that trips up English speakers: erinnern alone means 'to remind', while sich erinnern means 'to remember' - same verb, opposite direction depending on whether the reflexive pronoun is there.
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by heart
Sie kann das Gedicht auswendig aufsagen. — She can recite the poem by heart.
- erinnertA2
remembers
Sie erinnert sich an den ersten Tag in der Schule. — She remembers the first day at school.
memory
Mein Gedächtnis lässt in letzter Zeit nach. — My memory has been failing lately.
has remembered
Er hat sich an seinen Namen hat erinnert. — He has remembered his name.
- merkenA2
notice/remember
Ich kann mir keine Zahlen merken. Ich vergesse sie sofort. — I can't remember numbers. I forget them immediately.
plural: die Notizzettel
reminder note
Der Notizzettel klebt am Kühlschrank. — The reminder note is stuck on the fridge.
unforgettable
Der Urlaub war einfach unvergesslich. — The vacation was simply unforgettable.
forget
Ich habe meine Hausaufgaben vergessen. — I forgot my homework.
forgetful
Mein Opa ist ziemlich vergesslich geworden. — My grandpa has become quite forgetful.
plural: die Andenken
souvenir, keepsake
Ich kaufte ein Andenken an die Reise. — I bought a souvenir from the trip.
to memorize
Ich muss mir diese Regel einprägen. — I need to memorize this rule.
- erinnernB1
remind, remember
Bitte, erinnern Sie mich noch einmal an den Termin. — Please remind me once more about the appointment.
plural: die Erinnerungen
memory, reminder
An diese Zeit habe ich viele schöne Erinnerungen. — I have many beautiful memories of that time.
plural: die Gedächtnislücken
memory gap
Nach dem Unfall hatte er eine Gedächtnislücke. — After the accident he had a memory gap.
- gedenkenB1
to commemorate
Wir gedenken heute unserer verstorbenen Großeltern. — Today we commemorate our deceased grandparents.
plural: die Gedenktage
day of remembrance
Am Gedenktag legen wir Blumen ab. — On the day of remembrance we lay flowers.
to escape / slip mind / be inapplicable
Der Name ist mir entfallen. — The name slipped my mind.
memorable, recalled
Der Vorfall ist mir noch gut erinnerlich. — The incident is still well remembered by me.
to unlearn / forget
Man verlernt schnell, was man nicht übt. — You quickly forget what you don't practice.
oblivion
Er versank in Vergessenheit. — He sank into oblivion.
How to learn this set
Several words here share the root -gedenk-/-gedächt-: Gedächtnis, gedenken, Gedenktag, and Gedächtnislücke all point back to the same idea of holding something in mind, so learning one helps you guess the others. Also drill erinnern in its two forms side by side (erinnert vs. hat erinnert vs. sich erinnern) so the reflexive pattern becomes automatic rather than something you have to stop and think about. For entfallen and verlernen, attach each to one memorable example sentence rather than a bare translation, since their meanings shift with context more than the dictionary gloss suggests.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between erinnern and sich erinnern?
Erinnern without sich means to remind someone else of something, as in 'das erinnert mich an...'. Sich erinnern means to remember something yourself. Mixing these up is the most common mistake English speakers make with this verb.
What is the difference between vergessen and entfallen?
Vergessen is the general word for forget and takes a normal subject-verb structure: ich vergesse es. Entfallen flips it around: es entfällt mir, literally 'it slips from me', and it also has a second, unrelated meaning of 'to be cancelled or not apply', as in 'diese Regel entfällt'.
Is Erinnerung the same as Andenken?
No. Die Erinnerung is a memory or the mental act of remembering. Das Andenken is a physical object, like a souvenir or keepsake, that triggers or holds a memory. You buy an Andenken on holiday; you carry an Erinnerung in your head.
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