забывать vs забыть

zabyvat vs zabyt — forget repeatedly/in progress vs forget once

What it really means

Забыва́ть is imperfective and describes forgetting as a repeated habit, an ongoing process, or a general failure to remember. Забы́ть is perfective and presents one item as forgotten or one act of forgetting as complete. Both verbs can describe losing a memory or leaving something behind.

Use забывать for routines: "Я часто забываю ключи" (I often forget my keys). Use забыть for a specific incident or a request: "Не забудь паспорт" (Do not forget your passport).

Examples in natural speech

Я часто забываю имена.
I often forget names.
Она забывает закрывать окно.
She forgets to close the window.
Не забудь позвонить маме.
Do not forget to call Mom.
Я забыл ключи дома.
I left my keys at home.
Он забыл, где припарковался.
He forgot where he parked.

Common mistakes

Do not translate the perfective form as only a past-tense word. "Не забудь" is a present-time command meaning do not forget, while "не забывай" often means do not forget as an ongoing reminder or general rule.

Memory tip

Забывать is the recurring lapse; забыть is one thing slipping from memory.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between забывать and забыть?

Забывать is imperfective for repeated, ongoing, or general forgetting. Забыть is perfective for one specific forgotten item or completed act of forgetting.

How do you say do not forget in Russian?

Use "Не забудь" for one specific reminder and "Не забывай" for an ongoing or general reminder. Both are natural, but the aspect changes the framing.

Does забыть mean leave something behind?

Yes. "Я забыл телефон дома" means I forgot or left my phone at home. Context shows whether the problem is memory or location.

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