⏱️ 2 min practice • 🔥 CEFR A2

vergessen

Strong Verb (Class 5: e -> i) Level A2 ⭐ #36 Most Common

English translation: to forget

Stem Pattern: e -> i stem change in du/er (vergisst) / Präteritum: vergaß
💡 Key Usage Note: Because the stem ends in double 's', 'du' and 'er' share the identical form: du vergisst, er vergisst.
📘 Linguistic Rule: Inseparable prefix 'ver-'. In present, vowel shifts: du vergisst, er vergisst. Simple past: ich vergaß. Perfect: hat vergessen (no ge- prefix because ver- is inseparable!).
⚖️ Vergessen vs Essen (Class 5 Strong Verbs)
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Present (Präsens)

Forgetting now.

Subject Pronoun Conjugation Audio
ich vergesse
du vergisst
er/sie/es vergisst
wir vergessen
ihr vergesst
sie/Sie vergessen
💡 Tip: Click any row's audio button to hear native pronunciation
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AI Smart Tutor: 'VERGESSEN' Insights

Linguistic breakdowns & native shortcuts

Smart Tips
🧠 Memory Trick (Mnemonic)

Cognate with English 'forget' ('ver-' matches English 'for-').

⚠️ Most Common Student Mistake
✗ Don't say: Er hat gevergessen
✓ Say instead: Er hat vergessen

Why: Ver- is an inseparable prefix; it NEVER takes a 'ge-' in the Partizip II.

🗣️ Essential Native Idioms with 'vergessen'
Schwamm drüber und vergessen

= Water under the bridge / forgive and forget

"Es war ein Missverständnis, Schwamm drüber und vergessen."

Nicht zu vergessen

= Not to mention / let us not forget

"Nicht zu vergessen sind die hohen Reisekosten."

🎴 Flashcard Practice Mode

Flip through pronouns to test active recall for 'vergessen'

1 / 12
Present
ich

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Answer
vergesse

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Frequently Asked Questions: VERGESSEN

Is "vergessen" a regular or irregular verb in German? ▾

"vergessen" is classified as a Strong Verb (Class 5: e -> i) verb in German. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "e -> i stem change in du/er (vergisst) / Präteritum: vergaß". Inseparable prefix 'ver-'. In present, vowel shifts: du vergisst, er vergisst. Simple past: ich vergaß. Perfect: hat vergessen (no ge- prefix because ver- is inseparable!). Because the stem ends in double 's', 'du' and 'er' share the identical form: du vergisst, er vergisst.

What does "vergessen" mean in English? ▾

In English, "vergessen" translates primarily to "to forget". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A2 contexts for everyday communication.

What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "vergessen"? ▾

A frequent error is saying "Er hat gevergessen" instead of "Er hat vergessen". Why? Ver- is an inseparable prefix; it NEVER takes a 'ge-' in the Partizip II.

What are common idioms or expressions with "vergessen"? ▾

A popular idiom is "Schwamm drüber und vergessen" which means "Water under the bridge / forgive and forget" (e.g. "Es war ein Missverständnis, Schwamm drüber und vergessen.").

How can I practice and memorize "vergessen" conjugations? ▾

Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.

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Quick Practice: Fill in the Blanks

Test your understanding of 'vergessen' across tenses

Interactive Quiz
Question 1 ()

What is the Partizip II (past participle) of 'vergessen'?

Other Important German Verbs to Study

sein Irregular

to be

haben Irregular

to have

werden Irregular

to become / will (future auxiliary)

können Irregular

can / to be able to

gehen Irregular

to go / to walk

sehen Strong Verb

to see / look

wissen Irregular (Preterite-Present)

to know (facts/information)

bleiben Strong Verb

to stay / remain

geben Strong Verb

to give / there is (es gibt)

sprechen Strong Verb

to speak / talk

fahren Strong Verb

to drive / ride / travel

helfen Irregular (e -> i / Dativ)

to help (takes dative)

nehmen Irregular (e -> imm)

to take

schreiben Strong Verb (Ablaut Class 1: ei-ie-ie)

to write

laufen Strong Verb (Ablaut au-äu / ie / au)

to run / to walk / to function

bringen Mixed Verb (Gemischtes Verb)

to bring / to take to

trinken Strong Verb (Class 3 Ablaut: i-a-u)

to drink

denken Mixed Verb (Gemischtes Verb)

to think

sollen Modalverb (Modal)

should / ought to / to be supposed to

dürfen Modalverb (Modal)

may / to be allowed to / to have permission

finden Strong Verb (Ablaut i-a-u)

to find / to consider / to think of

wollen Modalverb (Modal)

to want / to intend

kommen Strong Verb (Ablaut o-a-o)

to come / to arrive / to originate from

stehen Strong Verb (Ablaut e-a-a)

to stand / to be situated / to suit

lassen Irregular (Modal-like)

to let / to allow / to leave behind

beginnen Inseparable Strong Verb

to begin / to start

schlafen Strong Verb

to sleep

brauchen Weak Regular Verb

to need / to require

glauben Regular Verb

to believe / to think

sitzen Irregular (Starkes Verb)

to sit / to be seated

fallen Irregular (Starkes Verb)

to fall

tragen Irregular (Starkes Verb)

to carry / to wear

treffen Irregular (Starkes Verb)

to meet / to hit a target

fliegen Irregular (Starkes Verb)

to fly

schließen Irregular (Starkes Verb)

to close / to shut / to conclude

kennen Mixed Verb (Gemischtes Verb)

to know (be acquainted with)

gewinnen Strong Verb (Class 3b: i - a - o)

to win / to gain

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