Daily Thai Confidence — Using ลืม (lēum)

Verb: ลืม (lēum)
Meaning: to forget

In this Thai lesson, we will learn how to use the verb ลืม (lēum), which means ‘to forget’. It is used when someone does not remember a person, thing, action, information, or obligation. Since ลืม (lēum) is a verb, it has to be placed right after the subject of the sentence (ประธานของประโยค — bprà-t^hāan k^hǎwng bprà-yôok), followed by the object of the sentence (กรรมของประโยค — gāam k^hǎwng bprà-yôok).

The typical structure usually follows the pattern: subject + ลืม (lēum) + a noun / a noun phrase / a verb phrase (what is forgotten or the action that was forgotten) (+ complement — a word or phrase that gives more information about the action or situation).

For examples (ตัวอย่างเช่น — dtūa-^awyàang chên)

t^hēr lēum gūn-jāe bâan wái nāi ród
Literal: She forget key house keep in car.
She forgot the house key in the car.

The main clause เธอลืมกุญแจบ้าน (t^hēr lēum gūn-jāe bâan = she forgot the house key) is structurally complete on its own and clearly states the action and the object. The verb ไว้ (wái = to keep / to leave / to have something remain in a certain state or place) is added to indicate that the key was left in a particular place as a result of forgetting, emphasising the continuing state of where the object remains. The prepositional phrase ในรถ (nāi ród = in the car) functions as a place complement, giving more information about where the key was left. Together, ไว้ในรถ (wái nāi ród = in the car) adds important contextual detail, explaining the location of the forgotten item and making the sentence more specific. Please note: The verb ไว้ (wái = to keep / to leave / to have something remain in a certain state or place) is commonly used in Thai to emphasise the result or continuation of an action. It shows that after an action happens; something remains, is left somewhere, or is kept in a particular state. Rather than focusing on the action itself, ไว้ (wái) highlights what is true after the action is completed. It often appears after a main verb to indicate that an object has been left, kept, stored, or reserved, whether intentionally or unintentionally. It is frequently used when talking about forgetting something, keeping something for later, saving, writing something down, or leaving something in a place — verb + ไว้ (wái) + place / intention or future use.

chǎn lēum chêu k^hǎwng-k^hǎo dtàe chǎn jām ^hnâa k^hǎwng-k^hǎo dâi
Literal: I forget name belonging to-him but I remember face belonging to-him can.
I forgot his name, but I can remember his face.

The main clause ฉันลืมชื่อของเขา (chǎn lēum chêu k^hǎwng-k^hǎo = I forgot his name) is structurally complete on its own and states what the speaker forgot. The conjunction แต่ (dtàe = but) is used to link this clause to a second main clause and signal a contrast between two mental states. The second clause ฉันจำหน้าของเขาได้ (chǎn jām ^hnâa k^hǎwng-k^hǎo dâi = I can remember his face) introduces information that contrasts with the first clause. Although the speaker cannot remember the person’s name, she is still able to remember the person’s face. Together, the sentence highlights a contrast between forgetting one detail and remembering another about the same person. Please note: When the word ได้ (dâi) is placed after the main verb or verb phrase, it expresses ability, success, or achieved result, and often functions similarly to the English modal verb ‘can’ or ‘be able to’ — main verb / verb phrase + ได้ (dâi). For example: ผมไปได้ (p^hǒm bpāi dâi = I can go.); ผมช่วยได้ (p^hǒm chûay dâi = I can help.); เขาพูดภาษาไทยได้ (k^hǎo p^hûud p^hāa-sǎa Thāi dâi = He can speak Thai.); เธอกินอาหารเผ็ดได้ (t^hēr gīn āa-hǎan p^hèd dâi = She can eat spicy food.). For ‘cannot’, simply place the word ไม่ (mâi = not) before ได้ (dâi). For example: เธอกินอาหารเผ็ดไม่ได้ (t^hēr gīn āa-hǎan p^hèd mâi dâi = She can’t eat spicy food.

k^hǎo lēum āo àek-gà-sǎan sǎm-k^hān māa t^hêe sǎm-nák-ngāan wān-née
Literal: He forget take document important come at office day-this.
He forgot to bring important documents to the office today.

The main clause เขาลืมเอาเอกสารสำคัญมา (k^hǎo lēum āo àek-gà-sǎan sǎm-k^hān māa = he forgot to bring important documents) is structurally complete on its own and clearly states what the person forgot. The prepositional phrase ที่สำนักงาน (t^hêe sǎm-nák-ngāan = to the office) adds additional information about the destination, indicating where the action of bringing was supposed to happen. The time adverb วันนี้ (wān-née = today) specifies when the forgetting occurred or was relevant. Please note: The compound verb เอา….มา (āo….māa) means ‘’to bring’ and is used when someone takes something and bring it to a place, usually toward the speaker — เอา (āo = take) + object + มา (māa = come toward) + destination.

chǎn lēum t^hōo-hǎa k^hǎo p^hrót wâa chǎn yûng t^hām-ngāan mâak wān-née
Literal: I forget call-search for him because I busy do-work very day-this.
I forgot to call him because I was very busy working today.

The main clause ฉันลืมโทรหาเขา (chǎn lēum t^hōo-hǎa k^hǎo = I forgot to call him) is structurally complete on its own and clearly states what the speaker forgot. The reason clause เพราะว่าฉันยุ่งทำงานมากวันนี้ (p^hrót wâa chǎn yûng t^hām-ngāan mâak wān-née = because I was busy working today) explains why the action in the main clause did not happen. Please note: The compound verb โทรหา (t^hōo-hǎa) means ‘to call’ or ‘to phone’ and is used when someone calls or phones another person. It combines โทร (t^hōo = to call / to phone) and focuses on the action of calling, and หา (hǎa = to seek / to look for) and focuses on the person being contacted. Together, โทรหา (t^hōo-hǎa) emphasises initiating a phone call to reach someone — โทรหา (t^hōo-hǎa) + person being called.

Practise putting your newly learned Thai word into a sentence by translating the following sentences below.

1. I forgot to bring my homework to class.
2. She forgot her umbrella at the restaurant.
3. They forgot to turn off the lights before leaving the house.
4. He forgot the password for my email account.
5. She forgot to lock the front door this morning when leaving for work.

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Urai Khomkham

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