vergesslich

Vergesslich is a German adjective meaning prone to forgetting or forgetful. It describes a person who frequently forgets things, such as keys, appointments, or names. The term can be used neutrally in everyday speech as well as in descriptive writing. The corresponding noun form is Vergesslichkeit (forgetfulness). A person who is habitually forgetful may be referred to as der Vergessliche (masculine) or die Vergessliche (feminine); the plural is die Vergesslichen.

Etymology and grammar: Vergesslich is formed from the verb vergessen (to forget) with the suffix -lich, which yields an adjective describing a characteristic. It is declined like a regular adjective: ich bin vergesslich, du bist vergesslich, er/sie ist vergesslich. The noun Vergesslichkeit denotes the quality or state of forgetfulness.

Usage and nuance: In everyday language, vergesslich conveys mild, non-medical forgetfulness. It is commonly used to describe everyday habits, such as misplacing objects or forgetting appointments. In more formal or clinical contexts, the term is not a precise medical diagnosis; persistent memory problems may be described with terms such as Gedächtnisstörung, Gedächtnisverlust or, in relation to aging, Demenz.

Relation to related terms: Vergesslichkeit (forgetfulness) is the abstract noun form. Related adjectives include schusselig (scatterbrained) and gedächtnisschwach (weak of memory), which carry different nuances. For more serious or persistent memory issues, specialized medical terms are used.

See also: Vergesslichkeit, Gedächtnis, Vergessen, Amnesie.