Olvida

Olvida is a common form of the Spanish verb olvidar, meaning to forget. It can function as the present indicative form for él/ella/Ud. (él olvida, she forgets; Ud. olvida, you forget) and as the affirmative tú imperative (olvida, forget!). When combined with object pronouns, it forms contracted imperatives such as olvídalo (forget it) or olvídala (forget her).

Etymology and related forms: olvidar comes from the Latin oblivīscī, meaning to forget. The noun olvido denotes the act or state of forgetting. Related verbs and nouns share the same root, with common derivatives including olvidarse (to forget oneself or to forget), olvidadizo (forgetful, colloquial), and recuerdos opposed to olvido (memory vs. forgetfulness).

Usage and nuances: Olvida is used to instruct someone to release a memory or stop dwelling on something, often in casual conversation. Examples include "Olvida lo que dije" (Forget what I said) and "Olvida el pasado" (Forget the past). The negative form is no lo olvides (do not forget it). The expression appears in daily speech, literature, and music, where it can convey moving on, forgiveness, or letting go.

Cultural notes: In Spanish-language media, phrases built from olvidar and olvido frequently appear in songs and slogans about starting anew or overcoming remorse. The imperative forms, including olvida and olvídalo, are common in dialog and pop lyricism.

See also: olvidar, olvido, olvida (noun usage in phrases).