Mi sono dimenticato/a completamente!

I completely forgot!

Pronunciation

di-men-ti-CA-to — stress the fourth syllable. 'Dimenticato' is a long word; take it syllable by syllable.

When to use it

Use with close friends when you genuinely forgot about plans. Honesty is appreciated among friends in Italy, though this works better with familiars than with acquaintances.

What it means

'Mi sono dimenticato/a' is the passato prossimo of 'dimenticarsi' (to forget). The reflexive form is essential — omitting it would be grammatically wrong. Adding 'completamente' makes it sound more genuine and less dismissive.

Variations

Scusa, mi è completamente uscito di testa.

Sorry, it completely slipped my mind.

Idiomatic — 'uscito di testa' means it left your head. Very natural.

Ho avuto una giornata di fuoco e non ci ho pensato.

I had a crazy day and didn't think about it.

'Una giornata di fuoco' (a day of fire) = a hectic day — adds context

Sono uno/a smemorato/a!

I'm so forgetful!

Self-deprecating and charming — diffuses tension with humour

Mini Dialogue

— Dove sei? Ti aspetto già da venti minuti! — Madonna, mi sono dimenticato completamente! Scusami! — Ma dai, come si fa? — Hai ragione, mi dispiace tanto. Vengo subito, ci metto dieci minuti.

— Where are you? I've been waiting for twenty minutes! — My goodness, I completely forgot! I'm sorry! — Come on, how can that happen? — You're right, I'm really sorry. I'm coming now, I'll be ten minutes.

Cultural Note

Italians may express frustration dramatically but rarely hold long grudges among friends. A sincere apology plus a swift arrival (or a coffee offer) typically resolves the situation.

← Previous

Possiamo rimandare a un'altra volta?

Devo restare con la famiglia.

← All phrases: Cancelling Plans