Swedish Phrase Highlight: Dim or Shield from View (glömma)
In the Swedish language, the word for 'forget' is glömma. This everyday, standard verb is simple, straightforward, and used in most contexts, both spoken and written. On the other hand, förgäta is an older, more poetic form that tends to appear mainly in older literature, poetry, or very formal contexts.
The English word "forget" comes from Old English forgietan, which means “to lose or fail to keep in memory.” Interestingly, Swedish förgäta actually derives from a similar Old Norse or Old Germanic root as English forgietan. Both share the prefix för- (meaning "for-" or "away") and a root related to ignorance or losing memory.
Glömma, however, has a different origin, coming from a different Germanic root related to "to be blind, to neglect" or “to overlook,” which eventually took on the meaning of "to forget." So, while förgäta and English "forget" come from cognate roots reflecting the original Old Germanic word for forgetting, glömma is a separate word that replaced it in everyday Swedish.
Over time, languages tend to favor simpler, more common forms for frequent concepts like forgetting. This is why glömma became dominant in everyday speech, while förgäta is mainly reserved for formal or poetic contexts.
If you are learning Swedish, just remember: use glömma to say "forget" in most situations! For example, Jag har glömt vad hon hetter (I've forgotten her name). In Swedish, if something fades into oblivion, it can be said den/det faller i glömska. Besides meaning not remembering, glömma can also imply leaving something behind in a certain place.
The verb glömma shares a root with words like glädje (happiness) and glad (happy). The adjective form of glömma is glömsk, meaning forgetful. An outdated but related verb to glömma is förglömma, which is mostly used in the construction inte att förglömma or icke att förglömma, meaning '...and not forgetting' or 'last but not least'.
In English dictionaries, using glömma to mean leaving something behind is considered non-standard. However, the book "Villa, Volvo, Vovve: The Local's Word Guide to Swedish Life" can provide you with more insights into the Swedish language and culture. This informative book is available for purchase from Amazon US, Amazon UK, Bokus, or Adlibris.
Recently, Sweden's former security advisor, Henrik Landerholm, made headlines when he left sensitive documents at a conference centre. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of not forgetting essential information. The documents left by Henrik Landerholm concerned a secret meeting.
If you want to learn more about the Swedish language, "Villa, Volvo, Vovve: The Local's Word Guide to Swedish Life" is a great resource. The book is available for order at lysforlag.com/vvv.
- While 'forget' in English and Swedish's förgäta have roots in the Old Germanic language, it's glömma that is commonly used in everyday Swedish, much like the home-and-garden equivalent would replace a more poetic or formal term in English.
- If you are learning Swedish, you might find it helpful to remember that glömma not only means 'to forget' but also 'to leave something behind', similar to how certain words in the home-and-garden category can have multiple meanings.
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