忘れる vs 忘却する
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 忘れる
Listen to 忘却する
| 忘れる | 忘却する |
|---|---|
wa-SU-re-ru verb (る-verb, transitive) | ぼうきゃくする (boukyaku suru) verb (る-verb, transitive) |
| to forget; to fail to remember | to be forgotten; to fall into oblivion (literary/formal) |
How they differ
忘却する emphasizes becoming consigned to oblivion or the gradual erasure of something from memory, which is stronger and more literary than the simple act of forgetting implied by 忘れる. It is often used in written, academic, or poetic contexts rather than casual speech.
When to use each
When to use 忘れる: Use 忘れる for immediate or casual forgetting (e.g., failing to recall a fact or leaving something behind).
When to use 忘却する: Use 忘却する when describing long-term forgetting, cultural/personal oblivion, or in literary and formal descriptions.
Side-by-side examples
- あの出来事をもう忘れてしまった。
(I've already forgotten that event.) - その出来事は時の流れの中で忘却された。
(That event was forgotten/consigned to oblivion in the flow of time.)
Register & nuance: 忘却する is literary/formal and more abstract; 忘れる is neutral and suitable for everyday conversation.