Olvidar - does it always need a direct object

Question

Simple I know - but I just wanted to say 'Don't forget.' to someone as a complete sentence. So would I need to say 'No lo olvides.' or could I just say 'No olvides' - the second one seems weird.

Is it because olvidar is transitive and always needs a direct object - and is that 'always, always' even when the d.o. is understood based on a previous sentence?

Is that the same for olividarse too?

Answer 1

"No olvides" alone sounds very weird without an object. "No te olvides" doesn't sound that bad, though.

Thanks Laz I was thinking the same thing - does that mean that olvidarse is intransitive? - Kiwi-Girl, Jan 16, 2011

Answer 2

You can always make it a nice positive sentence instead?

Acuérdate de comprar pan.

Unless you're really fond of olvidarse!

Thanks Sally, although it's easy if you have the direct object in your sentence, eg the pan, but I was just after the short ' 'don't forget!' :) - Kiwi-Girl, Jan 16, 2011

Ah I see! :) - galsally, Jan 19, 2011