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道Nihongo Path
忘

忘·forget

On-yomi
ボウ
Kun-yomi
わすれる

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

7 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
忘れるわすれるto forget
忘れ物わすれものa forgotten item, something left behind
忘年会ぼうねんかいyear-end party
物忘れものわすれforgetfulness

Example sentences

  1. 宿題を家に忘れました。

    しゅくだいをいえにわすれました。

    I left my homework at home.

  2. 電車に忘れ物をしないでください。

    でんしゃにわすれものをしないでください。

    Please don't leave anything behind on the train.

  3. 十二月は会社の忘年会があります。

    じゅうにがつはかいしゃのぼうねんかいがあります。

    In December there is the company year-end party.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Using 忘れる for leaving an object somewhere specific — that is fine, but 置き忘れる is more precise
  • Reading 忘年会 as *わすれとしかい instead of ぼうねんかい

Memory aid

Picture it

亡 (to lose, to perish) sitting on top of 心 (heart) — something has gone missing from your heart.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 忘 mean?