Olvidar

Question

I found a thread containing a grammar rule for 'olvidar'.
olvidar + infinitive = to forget to do something. Como, olvido escribir la carta.
olvidarse de + infinitive = to forget to do something. - me olvido escribir la carta.
I don't understand the reflexive form of the above. Is there a different shade of meaning? Or is one better suited to certain things/activities forgotten.
olvidarse de + noun = to forget about something or someone.
Me olvidar del perro.
This is a difficult word & conjugation for me. And for a beginner it is important to know how to say correctly, " I forgot so and so...."
Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

Muchas gracias, me ayuda mucho.

Answer 2

I forgot your name.
Se me escapa tu nombre.
Se me ha olvidado tu nombre.
No recuerdo tu nombre.
He olvidado tu nombre.

Note that the present perfect (have done, etc.) is used more frequently in Spanish than in (American) English, in which we tend to use the simple past tense more often.

I forgot to bring the book with me.
Me olvidé de traer el libro conmigo. (It's all my fault)
Se me olvidó traer el libro conmigo. (It's not really my fault)

I forgot how to say that word.
Se me olvida cómo se dice esa palabra.
He olvidado cómo se dice esa palabra.

I think the above are correct, but I'm sure someone will set it right if not.

Answer 3

Por ejemplo, quiero decir algo como, I forgot your name. I forgot to bring the book with me. I forgot how to say that word.
I suppose this is going to bring up "no me recuerdo algo" ? Is it okay to say "no recuerdo...'" Or should it be "no me recuerdo...'"

Answer 4

Olvidé traerlo.
Me olvidé de traerlo.
Se me olvidó traerlo.

All of these mean "I forgot to bring it," but the nuance is different with each one. Note the different person of the verb in the third one.

The best thing would be for you to make up a few example sentences in English of things you are likely to need to say, and we can translate them into natural Spanish.